Tentera Darat Malaysia Kekalkan MRAP Lipan Bara Tatkala Chaiseri First Win Dominasi Pasaran Eksport Asia-Pasifik

Malaysian Army Retains Lipan Bara MRAP as Chaiseri’s First Win Dominates Asia-Pacific Export Market

Malaysian Army Retains Lipan Bara MRAP in Dual Fleet Strategy

Mohd Hanif Ismail - : Dec 4, 2025 - : 3:45 pm

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The Malaysian Army (Tentera Darat Malaysia or TDM) has confirmed its commitment to the Lipan Bara High Mobility Armoured Vehicle (HMAV) fleet, signalling a balanced approach to modernisation that leverages proven regional platforms alongside burgeoning domestic capabilities. The decision to retain the Thai-designed Mine-Resistant Ambush Protected (MRAP) vehicles provides crucial continuity for TDM operations, particularly those focused on internal security and deployment across challenging terrains in East Malaysia.

The Lipan Bara, which translates to 'Fire Centipede', is the locally integrated variant of the successful Chaiseri First Win 4x4 vehicle, manufactured in Thailand. The original procurement, comprising 20 units, was valued at approximately RM140 million (approximately $34.0 million USD at current conversion rates) when the programme began in 2015. This initial acquisition established Malaysia as a key early export customer for the First Win, demonstrating intra-regional defence cooperation and helping to launch the Thai platform’s international trajectory. The vehicles currently operate with the Royal Armoured Corps in Kota Belud, Sabah, and at the Armoured Training Centre in Port Dickson, Negeri Sembilan.

Confirmation of the vehicle’s continued operational status was recently provided by Deputy Defence Minister Adly Zahari during a parliamentary session in the Dewan Rakyat, confirming that all 20 vehicles remain fully operational for training and required missions. This announcement puts to rest speculation that the Lipan Bara fleet might be decommissioned following the procurement of a new generation of locally produced armoured platforms.

Regional Export Success of the First Win Platform

The enduring service of the Lipan Bara in Malaysia underscores the considerable regional success of Chaiseri’s First Win platform, positioning it as a key player in the competitive Asia-Pacific land systems market. Originating from Thailand, the First Win has proven its efficacy and export viability across South and Southeast Asia, reflecting a growing trend of nations seeking cost-effective, combat-proven MRAP technology to counter asymmetric threats.

In a significant endorsement of the platform, the Philippine military is one of the adopter of the First Win 4x4 MRAP, further diversifying its armoured capability and enhancing force protection against IED threats. Similarly, the platform has found success in South Asia, where Chaiseri Defence is supplying 100 units of the MRAP to Pakistan, often through technology transfer agreements designed to boost the recipient nation’s domestic production capacity. This multi-national adoption across diverse geographical and operational theatres highlights the First Win’s robust design, built to NATO STANAG 4569 protection standards for blast and ballistic protection, and its versatility in meeting complex regional security demands.

Localisation and the Tarantula Programme

While the Lipan Bara remains operational, the TDM is simultaneously accelerating a significant domestic armoured vehicle programme, focusing on the procurement of the Mildef Tarantula 4x4 HMAV. The Ministry of Defence plans to acquire 136 units of the Tarantula under a programme valued at RM1.8 billion (approximately $436.9 million USD), with deliveries slated to begin in a phased approach from 2027.

The Tarantula programme, developed by Mildef International Technologies, represents Malaysia’s concerted effort to bolster indigenous defence industrial capabilities. Unlike the Lipan Bara, which involved local integration atop an imported chassis, the Tarantula is being delivered as a locally designed and manufactured vehicle, incorporating high local content and featuring advanced systems integration, including partnerships with international firms like Turkey’s ASELSAN for weapon systems. The retention of the smaller, proven Lipan Bara fleet alongside the massive injection of the domestic Tarantula units signals a mature procurement strategy: maintaining operational readiness with a trusted regional product while investing heavily in the long-term strategic goal of self-reliance in defence manufacturing.