ASTROS-II
It seems that Malaysia had taken delivery of three batches of Brazilian ASTROS II multiple rocket systems in 2003. These multiple rocket systems are fielded in a regiment that is now fully operational with three batteries, each with six ASTROS II launchers (3 x 6 = 18 launchers. Each launcher can have between 4-32 rockets). This was reported in Janes Defence Weekly on 16 January 2002. The Malaysian army had also received a quantity of Avibras AV - VBL (Viaturas Blindadas Leves) 4 x4 light armoured vehicles which are likely to be forward observer vehicles.
It would be interesting to know the exact compositions of the rockets bought and also the amount. The types will also be interesting as there are several rocket types associated with the ASTROS II and these include the SS-30 (127mm, range 9-30km), SS-40 (180mm, range 15-35km), SS-60 (300mm, range 20-80km) and SS-80 (300mm, range 20-80km).
Quoting from another source, the rocket warheads include:
"Cluster munitions warheads and dual purpose anti-armour and anti-personnel bomblets for increased area saturation are available for the SS-40, SS-60 and SS-80 rockets. A high explosive white phosphorous incendiary warhead provides anti-personnel, smoke deployment and materiel incendiary capability. A mine deployment warhead carries anti-personnel and anti-materiel mines. An anti-runway warhead which is equipped with a delayed action fuse has the capability of penetrating reinforced concrete runways to a depth of nearly 0.5m."
The Iraqis also fielded this Brazilian system. The Iraqis fielded ASTROS II rockets against Iran in the long-running Iran-Iraq war of the eighties and they also fired off some against the Saudi Arabian and American positions during the Battle for Khafji in the liberation of Kuwait.
The ASTROS II rockets were bought for 184.2 million US dollars.
The Malaysians had also bought the PT-91 main battle tanks from Poland and G5 artillery systems from South Africa.
6 comments:
Wonder why they are stocking up all those weapons?
hmmmm....
Anonymous, some of the items are prestige items. We know that the Mahathir regime had always been one to depend on prestige projects. ie Petronas Towers, national car project (Petronas again), when they should be looking out for their citizens.
Anyway, the ASTROS 2 multiple rocket launchers make a very powerful area-denial weapon and would be excellent in neutralising the airbases and airfields in Singapore when it comes to an aggressive war. Likewise, the brand new PT-91 main battle tanks, the new AIFVs, the new ultra-long-ranged G5 155mm artillery pieces. These are hardly defensive weapons...
"... when they should be looking out for their citizens."
More like abusing the citizens to their own liking perhaps and messing up the economy with NEP (New Economy Policy - started long time ago and is still running).
I know what you mean. Discriminatory policies which fattened the ruling party's friends. Cronyism. There are still wide-eyed Chinese and Indian Malaysians who are stil asleep and are blindly nationalistic. Even some of the Malay Malaysians have woken up and have started opposing the corrupt regime. Remember the case of the attempted purchase of the 40 Panavia Tornado fighters in the eighties? Malaysia is a country with so much potential. More so than Indonesia and possibly Thailand. It's such a pity.
Malaysia is degenerating fast. In another decade or two Malaysia will turn into a country like Indonesia or Philippines or worst. Corruption will become even more rampant and multiculturalism with equality and fairness will be mere utopia.
To outsiders Malaysia might look like a peaceful country with ample opportunities for progess but what outsiders do not realise is the inner rot since early 80s. The rot will hit hard on those honest hard working law abiding citizens. Many are concerned not for themselves but their next generation.
Many have no choice but to endure the systematic degeneration of their livelihood in a society that harness the hatred towards the minorities with discrimatory policies supported by the gov't. If the discrimatory policies do not get them in this generation they will in their next generation. A slow constructive degeneration ...
Pity Malaysia has become an utopian's paradise. Sad but true.
But Malaysia has a lot of potential. So much potential. A lot of educated people. A big population base. I know that there is little equality from my conversations with many many Malaysians and also from reading. Hmm... like you said, to outsiders, it does appear to be a peaceful country with ample opportunities. I guess like you said, the inner rot does not show.
I hear that some insiders (after all, they are patriotic and it is hard for them to believe otherwise) are also deceived sadly. And they obliviously applaud the former regime with its discriminatory policies.
Oh well.
You don't think things will improve after the end of that regime?
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