Wooww... Boss.. more photo please...

as most of us already know, they're 3 contestant for the new Malaysian MBT...and PT-91 won it..

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as most of us already know, they're 3 contestant for the new Malaysian MBT...and PT-91 won it..

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.... well, i didn't know that.... :-)

so, initally, what MBT options did we look into before deciding to buy the PT91?

Nice photos. As to whether a tank will be useful for our jungles its pretty debatable. First it will depend on our tank doctrine and strategy. Second would probably be its ground pressure then only its arnament and other goodies.

As far as going into the jungle the Scorpion would arguably be the best compromise. I think it has the lowest ground pressure of any tracked vehicle (5 lbs/sq. in, I think?). I can't see our PT-91 bashing thru the jungle or even some oil palm plantations. Even if it was used as a static ambush purpose its long barrel would require clearing quite a lot of trees, kind of making it visible and defeat the concept of ambush.

I can see us having a sub but a MBT.... Just my RM0.02 worth though. Thanks for the pics Argrillion and Boss.

Hmm! It makes me wonder whether there are any damage on the Putrajaya tiles when this tank rolled over it yesterday. Boss, see any?

Guys,

What do you think of our AFV camo?

I am no expert in this thing, but from my ancient time in the scout camping in Malaysian jungle; the camo looks a bit pale.

Those camo gonna stands out in the jungle.

or am I missing anything?

Boss I'm sure your'e right about the tank's performance in the jungle. However, for a laymen civvie like myself having a tanks in the jungle is like a bit like having tanks in the tight confines of an urban environment. Limited visibility even if you can manouvre around a bit.

A lot of it has to do with how our military strategists see us defending our country. Any land invader will come either through the coast or through Thailand. If we adopt a guerilla doctrine then anti-tank weapons will be the way to go. Plus with our long coastline a navy with good defensive capability would be my bet to spend OUR TAXPAYERS money.

Tanks for me are icing on the cake for a 3rd. world country unless your'e in a desert like environment that offer maximum use of tanks. Don't get me wrong I love thanks as much as the next guy even my tank modelling days are about over. But Malaysia should see what we do best and build it up. Malaysia already has some of the best trained jungle troops around. After all our jungle school in Johor once trained the SAS and the first commander of Delta force.

Hope I don't start too big a debate. Just adding more to my earlier RM 0.02.

i agree that ATM has upgraded its capabilities such as the SU-30, PT91, Scorpene subs etc... but one thing is missing... where are the attack choppers?

they are better on ground interdiction and anti-armor than anything else... what happened to the rooivalk? tak jadi beli ke? and some transport/utility helis to replace the nuri too... mmm

anyway, MBTs are more suitable to open countrysides, not in jungles or urban areas, where their mobility and firepower are restricted. ...perhaps the PT91 are useful more Merdeka and ATM Day Parades only...

Boss your right that it is nice to go off topic for a while. Before I forget thanks for the support on my thread over at the figure forum.

As an armchair general (too much C & C lah in my slightly younger days), I do find this subject matter fascinating. Sorry boss kena sambung cerita lagilah. I tend to agree with Mojimbo on the attack copters. No doubt choppers are far more expensive than most ground assets it would fit in perfectly with a guerilla hit and run strategy.

Just imagine, attack choppers hidden away in small jungle airbases with low IR signature camouflage. Throw in a couple of Harriers and you can give any attacking MBT backed force a really hard time. Much better bang for your buck or ringgit in this case.

The fact of the matter is we have a military agreement with our ASEAN neighbours and in an unfortunate time of conflict we will come to each other aid (at least in theory). With that in mind nobody would like to fight in their own backyard least of all Singapore. I believe their military doctrine is "if we have to fight at home, wer'e in deep sh*t". That's why they've invested a lot in air assets and to some extent sea assets as opposed to ground assets. I may be wrong as usual.

The ground attack capability of our air assets are relatively poor. Even moving troops around airborne is difficult with our old Nuris. Choppers and subs would be the way to go. One of the greatest concern, more psychological than military based, for the British was the Argentinian subs during the Falkland crisis. even though the subs were early post WW II designs.

Subs have a tremendous pyschological affect on any attacking navy coz they're stealth though not entirely undetectable. I believe the noise signatures on our SSK are even lower than nuclear subs. Like I said it fits in with a guerilla hit and run strategy.

Definitely more than my RM0.02. Sorry guys panjang cerita pasal nak elak work since I have to come on Saturday anyway :-)

First: RTM sucks!! Only a 5-second exposure for the MBT!

Hello guys...

First: RTM sucks!! Only a 5-second exposure for the MBT!

Second: I think there IS a resin conversion set for PT-91 using Tamiya's T-72M as basis.

Third: I think MBTs are relevant to our defence. We are no longer wholly jungle-clad. Even though MBTs are not really suitable for urban warfare, it is matter of imagination and tactical deployment by the commander. Hey, there is not many really large open fields in Western Europe also right?