Malaysia Army
The Malaysian Army fields 1,055 active armoured vehicles and artillery systems in 2026 โ 48 main battle tanks, 524 infantry fighting vehicles, 111 armoured personnel carriers, 140 light armoured vehicles, 196 towed artillery pieces, 36 rocket launchers. It ranks #63 of 86 armies by inventory size, with 136 on order.
Full inventory in 2026
15 equipment types| Equipment | Variant | Active | Stored | Ordered | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Main Battle Tank | |||||
|
PT-91M Pendekar | โ | 48 | โ | โ |
| Infantry Fighting Vehicle | |||||
| ACV-300 Adnan | all variants | 267 | โ | โ | |
| AV8 Gempita | 8x8, all variants | 257 | โ | โ | |
| Armored Personnel Carrier | |||||
| K-200A1 MIFV | all variants | 111 | โ | โ | |
| Light Armoured Vehicle | |||||
| AV4 Lipanbara | 4x4 MRAP | 20 | โ | โ | |
| Bandvagn 206 | โ | 80 | โ | โ | |
|
Ejder Yalcin | 4x4 MRAP | 20 | โ | โ |
| Ferret | 4x4 | 8 | โ | โ | |
| Guardian | 4x4 MRAP | 12 | โ | โ | |
| Tarantula HMAV | 4x4 MRAP | โ | โ | +136 | |
| Towed Artillery | |||||
| Denel G5 Mk.III | 155mm | 28 | โ | โ | |
| LG1 Mk III | 105mm | 18 | โ | โ | |
| M102 | 105mm saluting gun | 40 | โ | โ | |
|
OTO Melara Mod 56 | 105mm | 110 | โ | โ |
| Multiple Launch Rocket System | |||||
|
Astros II | โ | 36 | โ | โ |
Overview
The Malaysian Army, or Tentera Darat Malaysia, operates under Army Headquarters at Kem Perdana Sungai Besi in Kuala Lumpur. Operational forces are divided between Western Field Command on Peninsular Malaysia and Eastern Field Command in East Malaysia. These forces comprise five infantry divisions: the 2nd, 3rd, and 4th Divisions stationed across Peninsular Malaysia, and the 1st and 5th Divisions stationed in Sarawak and Sabah. Independent formations include the 10th Parachute Brigade based at Kem Terendak, the 21st Special Service Group, and the Army Aviation Regiment. Land defense along international boundaries is supported by dedicated Border Regiments stationed at garrisons including Lok Kawi Camp near Kota Kinabalu.
Combat elements consist of infantry, armor, artillery, air defense, and aviation arms. Infantry formations include the Royal Malay Regiment, the Royal Ranger Regiment, and the Border Regiment. Armored formations field PT-91M Pendekar main battle tanks alongside ACV-300 Adnan tracked infantry fighting vehicles, K200 infantry fighting vehicles, and AV8 Gempita 8x8 armored combat vehicles. Tactical mobility platforms include Lipanbara mine-resistant ambush protected vehicles and URO VAMTAC light tactical vehicles. Field artillery units operate Astros II multiple launch rocket systems, 155 mm FH-70 towed howitzers, and 105 mm Model 56 pack howitzers. Air defense units fall under the Air Defense Artillery Group, using Starstreak and Igla surface-to-air missiles alongside Oerlikon 35 mm twin anti-aircraft guns. Army Aviation operates AgustaWestland AW109 utility helicopters and MD 530G light attack helicopters.
Primary missions encompass territorial defense, land border security, and internal security tasks, including coastal and border patrols within the Eastern Sabah Security Zone. Overseas deployments center on United Nations peacekeeping operations, primarily the Malaysian Battalion deployed with the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon. Personnel assigned to this deployment conduct static base defense and sector monitoring.
Modernization efforts follow the Army 4 NextGen development framework. Domestic defense manufacturers, including DefTech, perform local vehicle assembly, maintenance, and upgrade work for tracked and wheeled armored vehicle fleets. Active procurement priorities include short-range and medium-range surface-to-air missile systems, motorized 81 mm mortar platforms, infantry section tactical vehicles, and upgraded satellite communication equipment.
- AUG 22026 Updated Ejder Yalcin linked to its equipment page
- MAY 12026 Updated 15 vehicle types added