Malaysian company Mildef showed two variants of its Tarantula 4×4 high-mobility armoured vehicle (HMAV) at DSA 2026, held in Kuala Lumpur from 20-23 April.
One was an armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) armed with an Aselsan Sarp 100/12.7 remote weapon station (RWS), with this type destined to enter service in the Malaysian Army. An acoustic gunshot detection system is also fitted to the RWS.
The second vehicle on display at DSA was a concept antitank version fitted with a Roketsan RWS and antitank missiles.
Ahmad Haziq Bin Ahmad Rashidi told Asian Military Review that Mildef received a contract for 136 Tarantua vehicles to be delivered over a five-year period. This RM1.8 billion (US$457 million) contract was announced at the 2025 edition of LIMA.
Five variants of the Tarantula are envisaged for the army: the aforementioned AFV, an armoured command vehicle, armoured vehicle signals, armoured reconnaissance vehicle (fitted with a 25mm cannon) and ambulance.
The first Tarantulas will be handed over to the Malaysian Army before the end of the year, the Mildef representative confirmed.
The Tarantula features a monocoque chassis and a V-shaped hull. It is powered by a Caterpillar 7.1-litre engine coupled to an Allison 3500SP transmission.
The Malaysian Army and Science Technology Research Institute for Defense (STRIDE) evaluated the vehicle, including blast tests conducted in South Africa. It is believed to use about 70% local content.
The 14-tonne vehicle was first revealed in 2021. According to information from Mildef, the Tarantula is 6.3m long, 2.5m wide and 3m high. Its ballistic protection is rated at STANAG 4569 Level 2A and mine blast protection at Level 2B.
by Gordon Arthur
