Weststar Defence Industries Explained

Weststar Defence Industries Sdn Bhd
Type:Private Limited Company
Industry:Automotive
Defence
Founders:-->
Location Country:Malaysia
Area Served:South East Asia
Products:Military vehicles
Military/law enforcement equipment and maintenance
Industry/technology consultation
Owners:-->
Parent:Weststar Group
Subsid:Global Komited
Website:Weststar 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

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 Defence Service Asia (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 12 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]

At the Defence Service Asia (DSA) 2024, Weststar stated that they has delivered 50 an updated version of the vehicle called GK-M2 to the Malaysian Armed Forces while another 50 will be delivered in 2025 and another 50 in 2026. At the same exhibition also, Weststar announced that they had received a contract to supply four IAG Guardian to the Royal Malaysia Police.[15]

Products

Source:[16]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Weststar unit eyes more jobs from govt and abroad | New Straits Times. Ayisy. Yusof. May 2, 2018. NST Online.
  2. Web site: DSA 1016, GK-M1 trials continue.
  3. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20161031102832/http://weststar.com.my/main/index.php/global-komited-2/. Global Komited. Weststar Group. 2017-06-14. 2016-10-31.
  4. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20170614134034/https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/press-release/malaysias-global-komited-and-thales-sign-partnership-agreement. Malaysia's Global Komited and Thales sign partnership agreement for distribution of Ground Based Air Defence systems in Malaysia. Thales Group. 2017-06-14. 2017-06-14. 2016-06-14.
  5. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20170614131723/http://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/new_4x4_light_tactical_vehicle_for_the_malaysian_armed_forces_the_weststar_gsc_3/4_ton_0603122.html. New 4x4 light tactical vehicle for the Malaysian armed forces the Weststar GSC 3/4 ton. 2017-06-14. 2017-06-14. 2012-03-06. Army Recognition.
  6. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20120628062544/http://www.armyrecognition.com/dsa_2012_defense_exhibition_malaysia_news/weststar_4x4_gs_cargo_new_4x4_light_tactical_cargo_troop_carrier_vehicle_malaysian_army_2004123.html. Weststar 4x4 GS Cargo, the new 4x4 light tactical cargo troop carrier vehicle of Malaysian army. 2012-04-20. 2017-06-14. 2012-06-28. Army Recognition.
  7. Web site: Malaysia’s Global Komited and Thales sign partnership agreement for distribution of Ground Based Air Defence systems in Malaysia | Thales Group. April 16, 2014. www.thalesgroup.com.
  8. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20170614104428/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/east-timor-selects-weststar-cargo-military-vehicle/. East Timor selects Weststar cargo military vehicles. 2014-06-10. 2017-06-14. 2017-06-14. Shephard Media.
  9. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20150919072107/http://www.armyrecognition.com/dsei_2015_news_online_show_daily_coverage_report_u/thales_to_provide_forceshield_and_starstreak_to_malaysia_41509151.html. Thales to provide Forceshield and Starstreak to Malaysia. 2015-09-15. 2017-06-14. 2015-09-19. Army Recognition. dead.
  10. Weststar Defence Industries Signs Procurement Contract with MINDEF for the Supply and Commissioning of STARStreak VSHORAD Ground Based Air Defence System. Weststar Group. 2016-04-22. 2017-06-14.
  11. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20170614135544/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/dsa-2016-gk-m1-trials-continue/. DSA 2016: GK-M1 trials continue. Tim Fish. Shephard Media. 2017-06-14. 2017-06-14. 2016-04-19.
  12. Web site: https://web.archive.org/web/20160726030923/http://www.armyrecognition.com/dsa_2016_official_online_show_daily_news/new_weststar_4x4_defence_special_operations_vehicle_sov_at_dsa_2016_11904165.html. New Weststar 4x4 Defence Special Operations Vehicle SOV at DSA 2016. Army Recognition. 2017-06-14. 2016-07-26. 2016-04-19. dead.
  13. Web site: Malaysian Guardians to watch over peacekeepers | Shephard. www.shephardmedia.com. 2017-10-17.
  14. Web site: More Stuff Delivered for The Army, October 2023. Marhalim. Abas. 2023-11-01. Malaysian Defence.
  15. Web site: Its the Guardian Extreme for GOF APC.
  16. Web site: Weststar Defence Industries – The Weststar Group.
  17. Web site: Four contenders for the new Royal Malaysian Army Special Operations Vehicle. Paolo. Valpolini. April 21, 2018.
  18. Web site: Guardians Soon To Lebanon - DSA 2018 Shorts. Marhalim. Abas. April 16, 2018. Malaysian Defence.
  19. Web site: Tentera Darat terima 6 unit UAS pertingkat operasi perisikan taktikal KRD. Nurul. Huda. October 31, 2023. Air Times News Network.

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