Deftech presents three variants of AV8 Gempita 8x8 armored for Malaysian army


The Malaysian Defense Company Deftec presents three variants of the local-made AV8 Gempita at DSA 2018, the International Defense and Security Exhibition in Malaysia including the ATGW (Anti-Tank Guided Weapons), the SURV (Battlefield Surveillance vehicle) and the RCWS (Remotely Controlled Weapon Station).


Deftech presents three variants of AV8 Gempita 8x8 armored for Malaysian army ATGW 925 001
AV8 Gempita ATGW (Anti-Tank Guided Weapons) at DSA 2018, the International Defense and Security Exhibition in Malaysia. (Picture source Army Recognition)


The AV8 Gempita is the latest generation of 8x8 armoured vehicle personnel carrier designed and developed for the Malaysian armed forces based on the Turkish-made FNSS PARS 8x8 armoured vehicle. The contract includes technology transfer from FNSS to Deftech and logistics support for the Malaysian army, positioning the vehicle and its 12 variants to become Malaysia’s first indigenous family of 8×8 wheeled armored vehicle.

Malaysian army has ordered a total of 255 Gempita AV8, 122 vehicles are already in service. The first variant showed at DSA 2018 is the AV8 ATGW fitted with a Two-Man Light Combat Turret LCT30 manufactured by Denel of South Africa. The turret is armed with one 30mm cannon as a main weapon and one 7.62mm coaxial machine gun.

There is two launchers for anti-tank guided missile INGWE, a state-of-the-art guided missile that uses laser beam riding, providing the AV8 Gempita ATGW variant high precision strike capability against light and heavy armoured vehicles.

The INGWE missile features High Explosive Anti-Tank (HEAT), with tandem charge to defeat any types of reactive armour and penetrate up to 900 mm of armour. The INGWE missile is also extremely stealthy and highly resistance to countermeasures.


Deftech presents three variants of AV8 Gempita 8x8 armored for Malaysian army SURV 925 001
AV8 Gempita SURV (Surveillance) at DSA 2018, the International Defense and Security Exhibition in Malaysia. (Picture source Army Recognition)


The AV8 Gempita SURV (Surveillance) is fitted with a telescopic mast equipped with optronics and observation systems used to perform reconnaissance on the battlefield. The mast is mounted at the rear of the vehicle.

For its self-protection, the AV8 Gempita SURV is equipped with a remotely operated weapon station armed with a 12.7mm heavy machine gun.


Deftech presents three variants of AV8 Gempita 8x8 armored for Malaysian army RCWS 925 001
AV8 Gempita RCWS (Remotely Operated Weapon Station) at DSA 2018, the International Defense and Security Exhibition in Malaysia. (Picture source Army Recognition)


The third variant of the AV8 presented for the first time to the public at DSA 2018, is the RCWS, fitted with a Remotely Controlled Weapon Station mounted on the roof of the vehicle.