Malaysia telah menandatangani kontrak RM 8 Billion untuk membangunkan 257 buah kereta perisai 8 X 8.
Seorang bekas Jeneral yang pakar dalam bidang kereta perisai dan ada ijazah sarjana sains dalam Persenjataan dan Sistem Kenderaan menegaskan bahawa kereta perisai pacuan 8 X 8 (8 tayar pacuan) adalah amat tidak sesuai digunakan di Malaysia. Ini adalah kerana bentuk muka bumi Malaysia dan iklim hujan tropika tidak sesuai dengan kenderaan perisai 8 X 8 yang terlalu berat. Beliau mencadangkan kerajaan sepatutnya membeli kereta perisai yang lebih ringan yang sesuai dengan keadaan muka bumi dan cuaca di sini. Yang penting padanya bukanlah saiz kereta perisai, tetapi jenis persenjataan yang ada pada kereta perisai tersebut. Kalau kapal selam Malaysia dulu mempunyai masalah tak boleh menyelam (tenggelam), apakah kereta perisai ini akan menyelam dalam muka bumi Malaysia ? ********************************* Projek RM8 bilion kereta perisai KUALA LUMPUR 20 April - DRB- Hicom Defence Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (DEFTECH), anak syarikat milik penuh DRB- HICOM Bhd. (DRB-HICOM) sedang membangunkan kereta perisai 8X8 - Deftech AV-8 dalam projek bernilai RM8 bilion yang dijangka siap sepenuhnya menjelang 2016. http://www.utusan.com.my/utusan/info.asp?y=2010&dt=0421&pub=utusan_malaysia&sec=Korporat&pg=ko_03.htm&arc=hive BILLIONS IN DEFENCE DEAL CLINCHED AT DSA 2010 However, questions has been raised as to why does the army need an 8 x 8 AFV that is FAR TOO HEAVY FOR DEPLOYMENT IN THE MALAYSIAN TERRAIN. Compared to the Sigmas which is a 16 ton vehicle; the weight of the 8 x 8 AFV ranges from 18 tons to 26 tons, and at this weight, THE VEHICLE WILL SINK IN MOST OF OUR TERRAIN. http://mindnoevil.blogspot.com/2010/04/billions-in-defence-deal-clinched-at.html ERRATUM The facts mentioned by the reader I quote, “When we did our trial 4 or 5 years back, we were doing the trial most of the time during rainy season. The paya (marshy) areas that we were in were damn soggy and bloody soft, worst that wet padi field. I didn’t remember we got stranded in muddy areas. I can certify to you as the expert in this field, my MSC degree in Weapon and Vehicle System, all the three 8 x 8 we tested including PATRIA, PARS and MOWAG went through wet ground test inclusive padi field with flying colours. I can also assure you the ground pressure of most world 8 x 8 is small enough to operate in our padi field”. Be that as it may, my position with regards to a statement that the 8 x 8 AFV regardless of model and manufacturer) is too cumbersome for the Malaysian terrain still remains. I am of the opinion that a smaller, lighter and a well armed AFV is the better choice. After all, it is the weapons systems used that are critical in battle. http://mindnoevil.blogspot.com/2010/04/erratum.html
