Contract Award: Thales to provide vehicular digitization for Malaysian Army

Reference: Thales (1,2), Army Guide

News Report

As appeared in a recent press release, Thales has been awarded a major contract for the integration of an advanced open vehicle electronic architecture system for the 257 new 8x8 armoured-wheeled vehicles of the Malaysian Army. Thales acts as a subcontractor of DEFTECH (DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn Bhd), the local company selected by the Malaysian Ministry of Defence for the design, development and manufacturing of the vehicles.

The Product

Thales will integrate a state-of-the-art Open Information Communication System (OICS) - branded as VSys-net – a vehicle system electronics solution designed to optimise integration and enable information exchange (voice, data and video) both within vehicles and externally. It combines a set of sub-systems and specific equipment that assist the commander during the mission (Battlefield Management System), manage the status of the vehicle components (Platform Management System), assist navigation, provide an optimised situational awareness and enhance survivability.

VSys is a generic vehicle electronics system (systronics) solution with modular hardware and software building blocks, distributing voice, data and video. VSys is adaptable to new and legacy vehicles and allows smooth integration of vehicle subsystems, as well as battle management system and specific mission systems (reconnaissance, fire support, combat…). VSys achitecture achieves integration between tactical data processors and multi-function displays through in-vehicle and multi-vehicle networking for the whole battlegroup.

Through Vsys, the following information are displayed within the vehicle cockpit: Vehicle status information on rugged tactical terminal, Mission system display (e.g. RSTA sensor information), Situational awareness display (local situational awareness from vehicle and sensor information, and shared situational awareness through a BMS and tactical communication server).

The Context

Thales has been selected to provide an integrated and scalable vehicle electronic architecture system including a wide range of new-generation equipment (communications, vetronics, sensors, command & control, mortar, optronics, etc.) to meet the rigorous operational performance criteria of the Malaysian Army.

In order to lead this programme in close cooperation with the customer, Thales relies on its local presence through Thales Malaysia Sdn Bhd and strengthens its local footprint thanks to its Malaysian joint-venture, Sapura Thales Electronics (STE), who will supply the complete HF and VHF radio communications system for the 257 vehicles.

Thales solution will provide a consistent vehicle electronic architecture among the 12 variants (Infantry & Armoured Fighting Vehicles, Command, Anti-Tank, Recovery, Surveillance, etc.). This will reduce integration risks on the overall program, speed up the operation, manage all platform systems in real time and enable optimised support services.

FNSS of Turkey, a joint venture between BAE Systems and Nurol Holding of Turkey, will design, develop and manufacture the 257 DEFTECH AV-8 8x8 wheeled armored vehicles and Integrated Logistics Support for the Malaysian Armed Forces.

The vehicle, to be manufactured by DEFTECH in Malaysia, is based on the FNSS-designed PARS 8x8 multi-purpose, multi-mission, wheeled armored vehicle. The vehicle will be redesigned by FNSS and DEFTECH engineers specifically to meet the requirements of the Malaysian customer.

Malaysias AV-8 8x8 armoured wheeled vehicle program involves the local design, development and manufacture of the vehicle, as well as the integrated logistic support. FNSS will provide the technical assistance and technology transfer to enable DEFTECH to produce the vehicles in Malaysia. The AV-8 will be Malaysias first indigenous 8x8 armored wheeled vehicle family consisting of 12 variants, for use by the Malaysian Army.

FNSS and DEFTECH previously delivered 211 ADNAN Armored Combat Vehicles (ACV) and 8 120mm ACV Mortar Carriers to the Malaysian Army and are about to complete the deliveries of 48 additional ADNAN ACVs under a separate contract.

Comments

“We are very proud of the renewed confidence in Thales’s solution expressed by the Malaysian Army. Thales strengthens its commitment to Malaysia and the local defence industry with know-how and technology transfer.” explains Jean-Philippe Durieux, Country Director, Thales Malaysia. “Thales’s excellence and expertise in complex systems integration make us a trusted partner, able to respond to the armed forces’ ever growing needs.”