Malaysian army to receive 178 Mildef Tarantula 4x4 HMAV armored vehicles.

According to Asia Pacific Journal, Malaysian defense company Mildef International Technologies has confirmed that, in 2024, it would supply 178 units of their indigenously-made Tarantula 4x4 high mobility armored vehicles to the Malaysian Army.
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Tarantula HMAV (Picture source: Mildef International Technologies)

It is not yet determined if the deal would involve an outright purchase or lease option. The Tarantula 4x4 armored vehicles are expected to replace the Malaysian Army’s aging fleet of Condor 4x4 armored personnel carriers, which the Malaysian Army has been eyeing to replace with a new vehicle.

The Mildef Tarantula HMAV is a 4×4 V-hull mine-resistant infantry mobility vehicle that provides high-level protection to its 10-man crew+passengers against a variety of battlefield threats such as mines and improvised explosive devices. The vehicle was designed and manufactured by Mildef International Technologies alongside Science Technology Research Institute for Defense (STRIDE) and the Malaysian Armed Forces. It was launched on 11 February 2021.

The Tarantula 4×4 weighs 14 tonnes. It is powered by a 7.2-liter turbocharged Caterpillar engine developing 330hp, with a torque of 1,116 Nm. It can reach 110km/h. The vehicle has been qualified with NATO's STANAG 4569 standard where their ballistic protection is compatible with STANAG 4569 Level 2 for ballistic and artillery. The vehicle is compatible with STANAG 4569 level 2B and the hull protection is compatible with STANAG 4569 level 2A. The main armament consists of a 12.7mm heavy machine gun. It's equipped with smoke grenade dischargers for self-defense protection.

Tarantula HMAV was tested 300 km off-rioad (Picture source: Mildef International Technologies)

After the Tarantula was first announced in February 2021, the vehicle was tested for nine days through 700km on road and 300km off-road, followed by highway endurance, fuel efficiency, load, winching, slope, mounting and dismounting, climbing and braking, including a one-meter fording test.

According to Mildef CEO Datuk Seri Mohd Nizam Kasa, the manufacturing of the Tarantula consists of 70% local content (chassis, body and engine system) and 30% (axle, six-speed transmission and engine) foreign content.

Armored protection is rated at STANAG Level 2, while bottom protection is rated at STANAG Level 2B, and hull at STANAG Level 2A. The vehicle is also fitted with mine blast attenuating seats to protect its passengers.

Tarantula HMAV (Picture source: Mildef International Technologies)

Defense News August 2023