On 27 August, the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) announced it had ordered a total of 263 high-mobility vehicles under two contracts. Cumulatively, these deals are worth RM164.91 million (US$40.94 million).
The first contract, valued at RM92.91 million, will see 163 Tedung (Malay for Cobra) 4×4 weapons carriers delivered. The order comprises 80 automatic grenade launcher carriers and 83 heavy machine gun carriers.
The Tedung is a modified Marruá AM250 double-cab vehicle from Brazilian company Agrale. The MAF stated the vehicles could be configured according to mission requirements, including serving as gun platforms, communications vehicles and command vehicles.
Of interest, Agrale issued a press release on 10 March 2026 revealing it had received a contract to supply 208 Marruá AM250s to the Malaysian Army, which is a higher number than that announced by the MAF.
The second RM72 million contract is for 100 Kala (Malay for Scorpion) High-Mobility Reconnaissance Vehicles (HMRV). The MAF did not state the vehicle’s original identity, although it stated they are powered by a 900cc Rotax ACE turbocharged engine that produces 200hp.
The Kala, a dune buggy-type vehicle, is capable of 4×2/4×4 operations, and it carries three fully equipped passengers in addition to the driver.
Photos issued with the announcement showed the naming ceremony of both vehicles being officiated by Malaysian Defence Minister Khaled Nordin on 27 August.
The press release did not state the name of the company awarded the contracts, although billboards behind the vehicles showed the logo of Malaysian company High Point Worldwide. Additionally, the Malaysian government procurement portal in 2025 had made announcements about High Point being awarded contracts for vehicles.
No delivery schedule was announced. Despite the release saying the Malaysian Armed Forces would receive the vehicles, they are in fact destined for the Malaysian Army based on 2025 tender announcements.
The Kala HMRV will be a new type of vehicle for the Malaysian Army’s infantry reconnaissance elements. It is the first specifically designed type for the role, in contrast to past usage of 4×4 vehicles from the overall in-service fleet.
The Tedung, meanwhile, will join an assortment of weapon carriers from various local manufacturers already in service with the Malaysian Army. These are assigned to support companies in Malaysian infantry battalions. The diverse fleet is the result of the fact that budgetary allocations only permit the Malaysian Army to carry out batch procurements rather than whole-fleet acquisitions.
Since 2018, every procurement has had to be tendered out. Largely, no direct, negotiated contracts can be awarded, even to suppliers of equipment already in service. The result for the Malaysian Army is not only confined to its 4×4 weapons carriers, but also its entire wheeled vehicle fleet.
Fortunately, the situation is alleviated by the fact that these vehicles are locally sourced from companies having their own in-country manufacturing or assembly facilities to support them.
by Dzirhan Mahadzir
