Steyr rifles to be phased out

last SG · 2006-04-27T10:41:25+00:00

I'm surprised that someone in SAF was actually dumb enough to display a live LAW... I guess common sense isn't common until something uncommonly bad enough...

tankee1981 SG

This is an article taken from a malaysian military forum. So far this is still not confirmed yet.

KUALA LUMPUR: The Malaysian armed forces? 15-year association with Steyr AUG A1 assault rifles could be coming to an end soon.

Sources said the replacement for the Austrian-designed rifles will be announced at the biennial Defence Services Asia exhibition, which begins tomorrow at the Asia-Pacific Auction Centre in Subang.

The replacement rifle is a tightly-kept secret.

While several candidates for replacing the AUG A1 were considered, it is learnt that the choice was believed to have been decided based on a transfer of technology which will allow a local company to produce the weapon in Malaysia.

Two possibilities remain for this ? that the local company produces the rifle under licence or that it sets up a joint venture company with the foreign manufacturer.

One of the possible replacements for the Steyr is the latest-generation M-16A4 assault rifle from America.

The Steyr had replaced the earlier version of the Colt rifle, the M-16A1, first used by US servicemen during the Vietnam War.

The benefit of using the M-16A4 weapon is that the Malaysian armed forces still owns and operates the older versions of the M-16, although this is mainly for training and ceremonial purposes and for the Territorial Army.

Other assault rifles in the running include the famed Kalashnikov AK-47, the highly-durable assault rifle which is even older than the M-16, having been designed just after World War II.

The Russian-made rifle has proven its calibre with its worldwide use and with fewer working parts, the weapon was less likely to jam and is likely to be much cheaper than the American weapon.

Another plus point is that the weapon fires a larger calibre bullet, making it more lethal.

Complaints among US soldiers when the M-16 was used in the Vietnam War was that a charging enemy soldier would sometimes take three bullets and still continue running.

With the 7.62mm ammunition of the AK-47, one bullet is all it takes to stop a man dead in his tracks.

The more senior of Malaysian soldiers, whether retired or still in active service, are more inclined towards going back to the 7.62mm-calibre bullet.

It was this ammunition which was used before the armed forces changed to the M-16.

The weapon of choice then was the SLR, a tough and extremely accurate rifle which was possibly even more durable than the AK-47.

The fact that the M-16 can be fitted with the M203 grenade launcher, may decide in its favour.

Another possibility is the United Kingdom-made L85A2, currently in use by British forces.

The weapon, which saw action in the Gulf War and Operation Iraqi Freedom, utilises the bullpup design (with pistol grip located forward of the magazine) similar to the Steyr.

This gives the weapon a plus factor as our soldiers would be familiar with its design.

Another plus factor is that the rifle fires standard Nato rounds of 5.56mm calibre.

A distant possibility is the Famas (Fusil d?ssaut de la Manufacture d?rmes de St-Etienne) assault rifle.

The Famas is currently the French military weapon of choice and also utilises Nato standard rounds in a bullpup design.

http://forum.cari.com.my/viewthread.php?tid=209852&extra=page%3D1&page=1

touchstone_2000 SG

Only the part of M16A4 (IIRC it is Canadian made) made any sense. The rest of the article shows the author/s does not know what they are talking about.

Change of calibre. Ha!

L85 ?

Typhoon SG

Possible relation?

http://military.sgforums.com/?action=thread_display&thread_id=187711

bcoy SG

I heard about this from various sources over the past year. There seems to be a few different opinions about this - from poor production quality, Steyr pulling out of Malaysia, to being able to produce their own rifles.
Whatever it is, its a major exercise, considering that the Steyr AUGs are introduced not too long ago.

Best to wait and see. The article itself is poorly written.

tchiew SG

Hmmm can you be more precise on which part of the article does not make sense? There's nothing technically wrong with the weapons and calibre quoted in the article. Do correct me if i'm wrong.

tvdog SG

This grenade launcher issue brings to mind our own adoption of the SAR-21. I continue to see M-16/M203 being used among SAR21-equipped units. Does anyone know if we are using SAR-21 with GL?

It seems manufacturing the Steyr AUG is rather demanding. The Australians also have quite a few issues with their own locally-made Steyr AUGs.

The option of selecting the AK-47 is actually a very sound choice, in my opinion. Since Malaysia is mostly jungle, most of the time you can see what you are shooting at anyway, so accuracy may not be such a top priority. If so, then the AK-47 makes perfect sense. The bullet can punch through foilage better and is definitely more of a man-stopper compared to the 5.56mm or the Russian's newer 5.45mm.

SingaporeMacross SG

did we use SLR a long time ago?

tvdog SG

Yes, we used SLRs in the 60's.

During my BMT the instructors demonstrated the firing of one.

LazerLordz SG

yes. right now the SLRs are under storage and also used as drill rifles with the mechanism removed.

tvdog SG

I have a gut feeling that the Malaysians has had enough of the bullpup format.

Somehow, the Americans could be right in totally rejecting the bullpup concept for their military. The advantages of the bullpup format being compact does not makeup for the numerous disadvantages.

sgf SG

Its a pity we chose the SAR 21 over the H&K G36. Cost issues I guess.

LazerLordz SG

SAR-21 is alright to have, but I'd still trust my life to the AR-series.

Raptor937 SG

Can you list the disadvantages of the bullpup design?

Why is the G36 better than the SAR21?

nismoS132 SG

if they want to buy SAR21, will STK sell? Laughing

Arthas79 SG

They`ve used the design for just 15 years and want to replace them? Don`t they have better things to replace? All the more with the reduced budget or so I`ve read somewhere because of recent purchases. Not to mention the drive to be a developed economy. If it does happen*(you know..you read such reports all the time from the north and what actually happens fall short of the claims..sometimes drastically), it`s probably politically motivated. Someone`s getting really rich soon.

Meia Gisborn SG

STK can build a version of the SAR-21 chambered for the 22LR cartridge, and sell that to our neighbour. Mr. Green

Blockhead SG

from http://www.bernama.com.my/bernama/state_news/news.php?id=193904&cat=ct

Armed Forces To Replace Steyr With Colt M4 Carbine

PETALING JAYA, April 26 (Bernama) -- The Malaysian Armed Forces will replace in stages their 100,000 Steyr assault rifles with the American-made lightweight Colt M4 Carbine 5.56mm, Deputy Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Tun Razak said Wednesday.

SME Ordnance Sdn Bhd has been appointed to supply and deliver 14,000 Colt M4 Carbines at an estimated cost of RM70 million.

The Letter of Intent was handed over to the company by Najib at the 10th Defence Services Asia Exhibition 2006 held in Subang here.

"The Colt M4 Carbine has been found to be the most suitable for the Armed Forces from the aspect of user friendliness and product innovation," he told reporters.

The government announced recently that the Austrian-made Steyr assault rifle, which had been used for 15 years, would be phased out.

The Colt M4 Carbine is the standard infantry assault rifle used by the United States military and is favoured in modern tactical combat operations.

Najib, who is also the Defence Minister, said the delivery of the Colt M4 Carbines would start this year.

He said the new weapon was designed to accept accessories like a grenade launcher.

Najib also said the Royal Malaysian Air Force's (RMAF) Pilatus PC-7 MKI turbo trainer aircraft would be phased out in stages and replaced with the PC-7 MKII aircraft.

The PC-7 MKII is more advanced and equipped with ejector seats which will enable the pilot to escape in any emergency that causes the plane to crash.

"The first delivery of PC-7 MKII will be made within 16 months from now and it is up to RMAF to decide when to phase out the PC-7 MKI entirely," he said.

The RM213.4 million contract to supply 10 PC-7 MKII aircraft, one flight training device, supplies and services and standardisation of eight PC-7 MKII was awarded to Pilatus Aircraft Ltd, based in Switzerland.

Najib also handed over a Letter of Acceptance to Avibras Industria Aerospacial International Ltd of Brazil for the supply and delivery of MLRS Astros II guided missile spares for the Malaysian army at an estimated cost of RM27 million.

At the event, Najib witnessed the signing of contracts between the Defence Ministry and three local companies for the supply of various types of equipment and services.

Satang Jaya Sdn Bhd will supply articles, services and technical assistance (specific to safety and survival equipment), Zetro Services Sdn Bhd will supply articles, services and technical assistance for ground electronics and avionics while Sapura Defence Sdn Bhd will provide maintenance of RMAF simulator systems.

-- BERNAMA

SingaporeMacross SG

goodness, they got so much money to buy so many carbines?

LRRP SG

seems an odd decision..seems like they are moving backwards..The Steyr isnt exactly a bad rifle.

|-|05| SG

WTF? M4's?!
i'm shocked.....M4's?!