Weststar Defence Industries Sdn Bhd
Company typePrivate Limited Company
IndustryAutomotive
Defence
Founded2003 (2003)
Headquarters
Malaysia
Area served
South East Asia
ProductsMilitary vehicles
Military/law enforcement equipment and maintenance
Industry/technology consultation
ParentWeststar Group
SubsidiariesGlobal Komited
WebsiteWeststar Defence Industries
Weststar Global Komited

Weststar Defence Industries Sdn Bhd,[1] also known as Weststar Defense,[2] is a Malaysian defence contractor involved in the development, manufacture and distribution of military and law enforcement vehicles, as well as providing consultancy services.

Through its subsidiary Global Komited, it plays an important role in supplying military equipment to Malaysian Armed Forces.[3]

History

Weststar GK-M1 light tactical vehicle armed with M134D-H minigun

It was established in 2003 as a Ford vehicle dealership before it moved to the defense industry in 2007.[4]

On 6 March 2012, the Malaysian Defense Ministry announced that Weststar would supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with the General Service (GS) cargo trucks. 11 GS cargo trucks were supplied in 2012.[5][6]

On 16 April 2014, a contract was signed with Thales in order to promote various air defense systems to the Malaysian Armed Forces.[7]

On 10 June 2014, Weststar was awarded a contract to supply the Timor Leste Defence Force with GS cargo trucks. 10 vehicles were to be delivered before the end of the year, and the company claimed that another 40 were to be ordered.[8] The contract was priced at RM11 million (£2 million).[8]

During the Defence & Security Exhibition 2015 convention, Thales which partnered with Weststar subsidiary, Global Komited announced that it had signed a contract to supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with ForceSHIELD to serve as its air defense system. This included Starstreak missiles, Ground Master 200 radar and weapon coordination systems, and Rapid Ranger and Rapid Rover mobile weapon systems.[9]

On 20 April 2016, Weststar received a contract from the Malaysian Armed Forces to equip them with 44 Weststar GK-M1 Rapid Rover vehicles. An additional 44 were also expected to be ordered. They would be installed with the Starstreak very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) missile on a Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML) system.[10] Prototypes were tested after the contract was announced.[11]

At the DSA 2016 exhibition, Weststar unveiled the Special Operations Vehicle (SOV) to visitors to showcase it to potential customers.[12]

Weststar through its subsidiary, Global Komited has supplied Malaysian Armed Forces with IAG Guardian in 2017.[13]

In 2023, Weststar supplied Malaysian Armed Forces with CW-25D hybrid VTOL UAS completed with two truck mounted command and control vehicle.[14]

Products

Source:[15]

References

  1. ^ Yusof, Ayisy (May 2, 2018). "Weststar unit eyes more jobs from govt and abroad | New Straits Times". NST Online.
  2. ^ https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/dsa-2016-gk-m1-trials-continue/
  3. ^ "Global Komited". Weststar Group. Archived from the original on 2016-10-31. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  4. ^ "Malaysia's Global Komited and Thales sign partnership agreement for distribution of Ground Based Air Defence systems in Malaysia". Thales Group. 2016-06-14. Archived from the original on 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  5. ^ "New 4x4 light tactical vehicle for the Malaysian armed forces the Weststar GSC 3/4 ton". Army Recognition. 2012-03-06. Archived from the original on 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  6. ^ "Weststar 4x4 GS Cargo, the new 4x4 light tactical cargo troop carrier vehicle of Malaysian army". Army Recognition. 2012-04-20. Archived from the original on 2012-06-28. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  7. ^ "Malaysia's Global Komited and Thales sign partnership agreement for distribution of Ground Based Air Defence systems in Malaysia | Thales Group". www.thalesgroup.com. April 16, 2014.
  8. ^ a b "East Timor selects Weststar cargo military vehicles". Shephard Media. 2014-06-10. Archived from the original on 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  9. ^ "Thales to provide Forceshield and Starstreak to Malaysia". Army Recognition. 2015-09-15. Archived from the original on 2015-09-19. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  10. ^ "Weststar Defence Industries Signs Procurement Contract with MINDEF for the Supply and Commissioning of STARStreak VSHORAD Ground Based Air Defence System" (PDF) (Press release). Weststar Group. 2016-04-22. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  11. ^ Tim Fish (2016-04-19). "DSA 2016: GK-M1 trials continue". Shephard Media. Archived from the original on 2017-06-14. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  12. ^ "New Weststar 4x4 Defence Special Operations Vehicle SOV at DSA 2016". Army Recognition. 2016-04-19. Archived from the original on 2016-07-26. Retrieved 2017-06-14.
  13. ^ "Malaysian Guardians to watch over peacekeepers | Shephard". www.shephardmedia.com. 2017-10-17.
  14. ^ Abas, Marhalim (2023-11-01). "More Stuff Delivered for The Army, October 2023". Malaysian Defence.
  15. ^ "Weststar Defence Industries – The Weststar Group".
  16. ^ Valpolini, Paolo (April 21, 2018). "Four contenders for the new Royal Malaysian Army Special Operations Vehicle".
  17. ^ Abas, Marhalim (April 16, 2018). "Guardians Soon To Lebanon - DSA 2018 Shorts". Malaysian Defence.
  18. ^ Huda, Nurul (October 31, 2023). "Tentera Darat terima 6 unit UAS pertingkat operasi perisikan taktikal KRD". Air Times News Network.
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