Malaysia Tests Upgraded K200 Fighting Vehicle
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Malaysian Army K200 Armored Personnel Carrier Receives important Upgrade
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The Malaysian Army’s K200 armored personnel carrier (APC) has undergone a significant modernization program led by Cendana Auto, enhancing its firepower, situational awareness, and crew comfort. Funding for a fleet-wide upgrade remains under consideration by the Army and Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim.
Updated September 4, 2023, at 23:03:13 UTC
Upgrade Details
The refurbishment centers around a new MAN-Doosan D2848T V-8 engine producing 350 horsepower, coupled with an Allison X200-5K automatic transmission. This powertrain upgrade aims to improve the vehicle’s mobility and reliability. Cendana Auto has also integrated a hanwha Aerospace remote weapon station (RWS), reportedly capable of mounting a 12.7mm heavy machine gun, along with advanced optics and acoustic detection systems.
Further improvements include a cabin cooling system and redesigned seating to enhance crew safety and comfort. A hydraulic assist ramp door facilitates quicker dismount operations. The vehicle now boasts a extensive situation awareness suite featuring LED lighting, thermal and infrared cameras, a Pilar V acoustic gunshot detection system, and six smoke grenade launchers.
The Hanwha Aerospace RWS incorporates image stabilization, tracking lock, and an automatic reload mechanism. Its optical sensors contribute to the vehicle’s surveillance capabilities, providing crews with improved battlefield awareness.Hanwha Aerospace specializes in the development and production of advanced weapon systems.
Manufacturing and Integration
The upgrade work was carried out at Cendana Auto’s facility in Semenyih, Malaysia, with technical support and systems integration provided by Hanwha Aerospace. Cendana Auto is a Malaysian company specializing in vehicle maintenance, repair, and overhaul services.
Funding and Future Prospects
While the initial upgrade has been completed, a decision regarding funding for a broader fleet-wide refurbishment of the Malaysian Army’s more than 100 K200 APCs is still pending. Malaysian media reports indicate that Prime minister Anwar Ibrahim and the Army will determine whether to allocate resources for the project. Analysts suggest that upgrading the existing fleet may be a more cost-effective solution than acquiring entirely new armored vehicles, particularly given current defence budget constraints.
The K200 APC was originally developed by Daewoo Heavy Industries (now Hanwha Defense) of South Korea. Hanwha Defense continues to support and upgrade the K200 platform.