Latest news with #Mildef
BusinessToday
22-05-2025
- Automotive
- BusinessToday
LIMA '25: Mildef Forges Strategic Pact With Turkiye Firm For Tarantula 4x4 Tech Enhancement
In a significant step towards strengthening bilateral defence ties and advancing local military capabilities, Malaysia's Mildef International Technologies Sdn Bhd has signed a strategic cooperation agreement with Turkish defence giant Aselsan AŞ to upgrade the Tarantula 4×4 armoured vehicle with cutting-edge technologies. The agreement, signed at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition, positions Mildef as the main contractor and platform provider, while Aselsan will contribute key defence technologies, including remote-controlled weapon systems, communication systems, electro-optical sensors and command and control systems. 'This collaboration enables both parties to jointly submit technical and commercial proposals to the Malaysian government, ensuring shared responsibilities, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance,' Mildef said in a statement. The partnership also aims to promote cost efficiency, enable technology transfer and strengthen Malaysia's defence industry by integrating global technological expertise with local innovation. By aligning local industrial strength with international innovation, the agreement reinforces Malaysia's defence self-reliance agenda and strengthens its position within the regional defence ecosystem, while paving the way for future technological advancements in combat vehicle capabilities. Related
Free Malaysia Today
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- Free Malaysia Today
PM launches first locally made high mobility light tactical vehicle
Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim at the launch of 'Ribat' at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre today. (Bernama pic) LANGKAWI : Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim today launched 'Ribat', the first high mobility light tactical vehicle designed and fully built by local company Mildef International Technologies Sdn Bhd (Mildef). The launch was held in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (LIMA'25) at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre. Ribat, the name chosen by the prime minister, refers to the spirit of guarding and defending the country based on faith, patriotism, and technology. It also refers to the practice of guarding and controlling the border to defend the safety of the people, symbolising preparedness, courage, and the spirit of sacrifice for the sake of the country. At the event, Anwar witnessed the signing of a memorandum of understanding between Mildef and major Indonesian defence company PT Pindad, which is set to open up opportunities for exports, technology transfer, and system integration between the two nations. He also witnessed the inking of a memorandum of agreement between Mildef and the Defence Science and Technology Research Institute – a research agency under the defence ministry. The MoA is aimed at efforts to develop two more tactical vehicle platforms to be domestically designed. Mildef said Ribat was developed by local engineers with the support of industrial-grade engineering facilities in Seremban and Sepang. It is equipped with a modular ballistic protection system and designed for missions such as patrols, convoys, and special operations. Mildef managing director Mohd Nizam Kasa said the launch of Ribat not only illustrated the capability of the local industry but was also a manifestation of the success of the government's policy to empower a self-reliant and high-impact defence ecosystem. 'Ribat is the result of local innovation, which proves that Malaysia is capable of being not only a user of defence systems, but also a creator of strategic technology trusted by both the government and the global community,' he said. Since its establishment in 2005, Mildef has grown from a group of young engineers to a key player in the national defence industry with its success in building assets such as the high mobility armoured vehicle Tarantula, the Rentaka 4×4, and now Ribat.
The Star
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- The Star
Lima '25: Ribat showcases local talent, innovation in defence industry
LANGKAWI: Behind its compact and rugged design, the country's first high mobility light tactical vehicle (HMLTV) Ribat holds an extraordinary story of determination, courage and the capability of local talent willing to take great risks for the advancement of the country's defence industry. Fully designed by Mildef International Technologies Sdn Bhd (Mildef), the armoured vehicle is not just a symbol of physical strength, but also reflects the perseverance of a local company in creating a defence asset which, it was assumed all these while, could only be produced by advanced countries. In an exclusive interview with Bernama, Mildef managing director Datuk Seri Mohd Nizam Kasa (pic) shared that the idea to create Ribat came about following their success in producing the earlier model, the high-mobility armoured vehicle Tarantula. "Ribat is a type of specially-designed vehicle we felt was needed after the company produced the Tarantula. This vehicle is compact and suitable for all types of missions… it can operate at the borders (or) any assigned tasks,' he said. More interestingly, Nizam said Ribat, which carries high symbolic value and refers to the spirit of guarding and defending the country based on faith, patriotism and technology, was named by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim himself. In conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25), which began on Tuesday (May 20), Anwar also launched Ribat at the Mildef avillion of the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC), thus making the company the first producer of national tactical armoured vehicles. Behind the success of Ribat's production lies an even bigger achievement as it was fully designed by Malaysians, right from the sketching, research and development (R&D) and production stages to the final tests… everything was done domestically. Nizam said that about 60 to 70 per cent of the vehicle's components, which are equipped with a modular ballistic protection system and designed for missions such as patrols, convoys and special operations, were developed by local engineers while its components, such as the engine and transmission, were imported before being assembled and tested in the country. "This Ribat is 100 per cent locally designed, from the first sketch and drawing right up to in-house manufacturing… we did the integration, commissioning and testing all by ourselves at our factory in Sendayan, Negri Sembilan,' he said. He shared that the idea to build Ribat came about from a sense of national responsibility and the need to be self-reliant in terms of the country's military asset development, without having to depend on foreign support, including maintenance. Although it was a huge challenge, he said it took them two and a half years to complete the vehicle, from design and prototype evaluation to mobility testing, weapons integration, communications systems and protective features. Nizam said the development also produced a strategic collaboration between Mildef and the Defence Science and Technology Research Institute (STRIDE), a prominent research agency under the Defence Ministry. This was done through the signing of a memorandum of agreement (MOA) by focusing efforts on the development of two more tactical vehicle platforms that will be fully designed domestically. However, he said that what is more encouraging is Ribat's ability to directly compete with international products, with Mildef now targeting the export markets in South Asia and the Middle East, where demand for high-quality defence technology is rising. He added that the company is actively involved in global defence exhibitions, including in Abu Dhabi (the United Arab Emirates), France, the Philippines and Vietnam. In addition to developing military capabilities, he said the initiative also opened the way for economic growth and domestic human capital development, considering that Ribat also serves as a platform to train youths in technical fields through the Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) programme. "This is an added value… besides generating our economy, we are also creating job opportunities and developing skills among our youths and children under the TVET,' he said. With a clear long-term vision, he said Mildef plans to produce tracked vehicles and special operations vehicles within the next two years, thus making Malaysia one of the countries with its own defence technology capabilities.- Bernama
The Star
20-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Lima '25: PM launches first locally-made high mobility light tactical vehicle 'Ribat'
LANGKAWI: Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim launched 'Ribat', the first high mobility light tactical vehicle (HMLTV) designed and fully built by local company Mildef International Technologies Sdn Bhd (Mildef). The launch was held in conjunction with the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition 2025 (Lima '25) at the Mahsuri International Exhibition Centre (MIEC). More interestingly, Ribat was named by the Prime Minister himself, which carries high symbolic value and refers to the spirit of guarding and defending the country based on faith, patriotism and technology. Ribat refers to the practice of guarding and controlling the border to defend the safety of the people. It symbolises preparedness, courage and the spirit of sacrifice for the sake of the country. At the event, Anwar witnessed the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between Mildef and major Indonesian defence company PT Pindad, and the collaboration is set to open up opportunities for exports, technology transfer and system integration between the two regional nations. The Prime Minister also witnessed the inking of the memorandum of agreement (MOA) between Mildef and the Defence Science and Technology Research Institute (STRIDE), which is a prominent research agency under the Defence Ministry.- Bernama
New Straits Times
20-05-2025
- Automotive
- New Straits Times
Lima '25 gets first look at Malaysia's homegrown tactical armoured vehicle
LANGKAWI: Mildef International Technologies Sdn Bhd today unveiled Ribat, the country's first high mobility light tactical vehicle (HMLTV) to be fully designed and manufactured by a local defence firm. The launch, officiated by Prime Minister Datuk Seri Anwar Ibrahim at the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace Exhibition (Lima '25), positions Mildef as a national leader in land defence and the first Malaysian company to successfully introduce a homegrown tactical armoured vehicle to regional and international markets. Ribat's namesake was personally given by Anwar, carrying symbolic meaning rooted in the spirit of protecting the homeland with faith, patriotism and technological advancement. Mildef managing director Datuk Seri Mohd Nizam Kasa said the launch not only highlights the strength of local capabilities but also reflects the government's efforts in building a resilient and independent defence ecosystem. "Ribat is a product of Malaysian innovation that shows we are not just users of defence technology, but also creators of strategic systems trusted by both the government and the international community," he said. The vehicle, Nizam said, was developed by Malaysian engineers using industrial-grade facilities in Seremban and Sepang. Nizam said Ribat was not only suited for domestic use but also meets the operational requirements of overseas missions, making it a competitive and cost-effective option for the government. "Ribat is one of the best products we've developed. It's highly competitive while promoting cost savings for the government. This vehicle delivers real added value," he said. He said more than 60 per cent of the vehicle's components had been localised, with the engine being the only major part sourced from abroad. "In terms of design and commercial development, everything was done locally. The vehicle has been fully designed, developed, and patented in Malaysia. "Ribat also had undergone extensive testing and validation processes in collaboration with the Science and Technology Research Institute for Defence (Stride) and the Malaysian Army to ensure its performance and reliability. "It features a modular ballistic protection system and is designed for missions including patrol, convoy and special operations," he said. Mildef at the same event, signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Indonesia's leading defence firm PT Pindad opening doors for export opportunities, technology transfers and system integration between the two nations. Mildef also signed a memorandum of agreement (MoA) with the Defence Ministry's Stride. "The MoA focuses on the local development of two more tactical vehicle platforms. "Strategic cooperation with Stride is key to establishing Malaysia as a regional hub for defence research and development," Nizam said. Mildef is also expected to sign a contract during Lima 25 to supply 136 units of its Tarantula armoured vehicle to the Malaysian Army.
