Here Comes The Light Cavalry
The introduction of Mine Resistance Armoured Protected (MRAP) vehicle by the Malaysian Armed Forces (MRAP) beginning from 2016 through the introduction of DEFTECH/Chaiseri AV-4 Lipanbara and IAG Guardian has paved the way for larger provurement of MRAP in the near future.
The Army has issued Request for Information (RFI) as well as conducted several tests in 2019. It has issued a global tender recently calling for supply of such vehicle in place of the remaining Radpanzer Condor 4×4 Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) which has not being fully replaced by the DEFTECH/FNSS AV-8 Gempita 8×8 Armoured Infantry Fighting Vehicle (AIFV).
The Royal Armoured Corp has recently established 5th Regiment, Royal Armoured Corp (5KAD) for operation in Sabah. The regiment is in charge of the Lipanbara fleet with the exception of a few being retained at Armoured Training Centre (Pusat Latihan Armor –PULAMOR) in Port Dickson garrison.
The 5 KAD is unique as it is currently the only light cavalry unit with the Royal Armoured Corp, ever since the last of Ferret scout car being withdrawn from service in early 2000.
Sabah is no stranger to armoured vehicles. During Ops Daulat, the Army deployed DEFTECH/FNSS ACV-300 Adnan tracked AIFV operated by the 12th Mechanised Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (12 RAMD Mek) as well as the Condors of 19th Mechanised Battalion, Royal Malay Regiment (19 RAMD Mek) with great success.
The Adnan was relieved by the Daewoo K200A1 MIFV by the same regiment out of Sri Kinabatangan Camp while the Condor, after being withdrawn from 19RAMD Mek service, was fully replaced by the Gempita.
The Lipanbara in Sabah is equipped with Dillon M134 Gatling gun similar to those equipping the AgustaWestland A109 LUH light utility helicopter operated by a detachment of the 881st Regiment, Army Aviation Force (Rej 881 PUTD) out of Sandakan.
5 KAD is the 9th unit in the Royal Armoured Corp after the 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th Armoured Cavalry Regiments, 10th Armoured Parachute Squadron, 21st Ceremonial Horse Cavalry Squadron and 11th Tank Regiment.
(MFH)