DSA 2024 : Mildef presents Malaysian made IFV variant of M113

The M113, with its rich history and numerous enhancements over time, has evolved significantly since its initial development as a troop transporter. It has been adapted for use in every major conflict since the 1960s. Recently, Malaysia unveiled a new version of the M113 at the DSA exhibition, reconfigured as an infantry fighting vehicle.

Developed by the United States, the M113 was originally designed to transport troops into battle, offering protection against small arms fire and shrapnel. It features lightweight aluminum armor, making it air transportable and amphibious, thus enhancing its operational flexibility. Over the years, it has been extensively modified and upgraded to fulfill a variety of roles beyond troop transport, including serving as an ambulance, command vehicle, and supporting artillery and engineering units. Its widespread use in numerous conflicts, such as the Vietnam War, the Gulf War, and operations in Afghanistan, demonstrates its reliability and effectiveness in diverse combat scenarios. The M113 has also been adopted and adapted by over 50 countries.

 

The version presented by Mildef represents a significant modernization of this 1960s-era armored vehicle. Indeed, its speed has been increased to 100 km/h thanks to a new Caterpillar C7 engine, and its operational range has been extended to 590 km on roads and 300 km off-road. Mildef has chosen to enhance its ballistic protection to STANAG Level 2 standards. This level of protection guards against 7.62×39 caliber bullets and 155mm artillery shells exploding at 80m. The armament of the armored vehicle has also been significantly improved, featuring a classic 12.7mm machine gun, a remote weapon station, and a 76mm grenade launcher equipped with 16 grenades. In terms of communications, the modified M113 is fully integrated into the battlefield management system, which includes a digital battlefield visualization system and numerous communication channels.

 

While we have observed the passive protection of the vehicle, the M113 presented by Mildef is equipped with four laser warning systems. These systems are designed to detect laser rangefinders and alert the crew to deploy electro-optical countermeasures, such as smoke grenades. Since laser rangefinding is the first step in an anti-tank missile attack, this system is crucial for the vehicle’s survivability.