The Malaysian armoured vehicle manufacturer Mildef International Technologies (MILDEF) displayed its new High Mobility Light Tactical Vehicle (HMLTV) 4×4, at the Asian Defence and Security (ADAS) defence exhibition (25-27 September) in Manila. This is the first time that the HMLTV has been displayed outside of Malaysia.
Speaking to AMR, a MILDEF official said that the HMLTV 4×4 had been brought to the Philippines as the vehicle is being offered for a Philippine Armed Forces requirement, for which it has been shortlisted for trials. The eventual order could be for up to 60 armoured vehicles for the military. The official said that the HMLTV 4×4 trials in the Philippines are slated to begin in October and run for two weeks.
The HMLTV 4×4 which has a GVW of 6.7 tonnes is powered by a 250bhp engine and features a six-speed automatic transmission. The armoured vehicle has a range of over 370 miles (600 kilometres) and can attain a top speed of 68 miles per hour (110km/h). Its armour protection has been certified to STANAG 4569 Level 1.
The MILDEF official also confirmed that the company’s new Tarantula 4×4 armoured vehicle is also being offered for a Philippine Marine requirement. The Tarantula High Mobility Armoured Vehicle (HMAV) was first unveiled in 2022 and is a new variant with a Remote-Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS) providing two different weapon calibers. This was exhibited for the first time in May this year at the Defence Services Asia (DSA) 2024 exhibition held in Kuala Lumpur. Deliveries of the Tarantula to the Malaysian Army are slated to being later this year.
by Mike Rajkumar, ADAS, Philippines.
