Weststar GK-M1/M2 explained

Weststar GK-M1/M2
Origin:	Malaysia
Type:	Military light utility vehicle / Light tactical vehicle
Is Vehicle:	yes
Service:	Malaysia
Design Date:	2012^[1]
Manufacturer:	Weststar Defence Industries
Production Date:	2015–present
Weight:	4 tonnes
Length:	5.7 meters
Width:	1.8 meters
Height:	2 meters
Primary Armament:	See variants
Suspension:	4×4
Speed:	110 km/h

Weststar GK-M1/M2 is a Malaysian military light utility vehicle or light tactical vehicle designed and manufactured by Weststar Defence Industries.

History

Weststar delivered an unknown quantity of the GK-M1 in 2015.^[2] On April 20, 2016, Weststar received another contract from the Malaysian Armed Forces to equip them with 44 Weststar GK-M1 Rapid Rover vehicles.^[3] An additional 44 were also to be delivered.^[4]

During the Defence & Security Exhibition 2015 convention, Thales announced that it had signed a contract to supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with ForceSHIELD anti-air defense system which is consist of Starstreak missiles, Control Master 200 radar and weapon control system. This system will be install on Weststar GK-M1.^{[5] [3]}

In Defence Service Asia (DSA) 2024, Weststar confirmed that they has delivered 50 an updated version of the vehicle called GK-M2 to the Malaysian Armed Forces. Another 50 will be delivered in 2025 and another 50 in 2026.^[6]

Design

The GK-M1/M2 is outfitted with a Toyota engine.^[7]

Variants

Fitted For Radio

Command and communication vehicle to accommodate communications equipment.

Ambulance

Ambulance vehicle with accommodation of stretchers in the rear compartment.

Special Operation Vehicle

An off-road vehicle for special forces units made with COTS parts, unveiled in Defence Service Asia 2016.^[8] Offered to the Grup Gerak Khas under the light strike vehicle procurement program.^[9]

Weapon Carrier

A variant equipped with weapons on top of the vehicle. Weapons mounted includes the M134D-H minigun, machine gun and grenade launcher.^[10]

Operators

• Malaysia: 238 units of all variants (88 GK-M1 and 150 GK-M2).^{[12] [13] [6]}

See also

• Cendana Auto 4x4

Notes and References

1. Web site: DSA 2018: Testing times ahead for Malaysian SOF vehicles - Special Operations - Shephard Media. www.shephardmedia.com.
2. Web site: Weststar GK-M1 Weapon Platform - Malaysian Defence. Abas. Marhalim. en-US. 2018-12-15.
3. Web site: DSA 2016: GK-M1 trials continue - LWI - Land Warfare - Shephard Media. www.shephardmedia.com.
4. Web site: DSA 2016: GK-M1 trials continue - Shephard Media - Aerospace, defence and security news and analysis. https://web.archive.org/web/20170614135544/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/dsa-2016-gk-m1-trials-continue/. dead. 14 June 2017. 14 June 2017.
5. Web site: Malaysia's Global Komited and Thales sign partnership agreement for distribution of Ground Based Air Defence systems in Malaysia - Thales Group. www.thalesgroup.com.
6. Web site: Its the Guardian Extreme for GOF APC.
7. Web site: Weststar GK-M1 Weapon Platform - Malaysian Defence. Marhalim Abas. says.
8. Web site: New Weststar 4x4 Defence Special Operations Vehicle SOV at DSA 2016 11904165. www.armyrecognition.com. 2018-12-15.
9. Web site: Asian SOF looks for Protected Mobility. January 21, 2020.
10. Web site: MALAYSIA TESTS STARSTREAK MISSILES | Article - Fri 02 Nov 2018 08:41:00 AM UTC | airsoc.com. on airsoc.com. Airsoc.com.
11. Web site: DSA 2018: Dillon Aero's Prospects in Asia Pacific. www.monch.com.

    Air Defence

    Air defence variant equipped with Starstreak surface-to-air missiles. They're installed through a Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML).^[10]

12. Web site: Home - Ministry of Defense Malaysia .
13. Web site: Our Five Favourite Vehicles Of The Malaysian Army - Insights - Carlist.my. Carlist.my - Malaysia's No.1 Car Site.