The induction of 18 units of the KNDS 105mm LG1 Mk III lightweight howitzer into the Malaysian Army’s 1st Regiment Royal Artillery (Parachute) — 1 RAD marks a decisive transformation in the country’s airborne fire-support capability, signalling a clear break from legacy artillery systems toward a modern, highly mobile, and digitally networked force.
Within regional defence and military planning circles, the transition is widely viewed as a major modernization milestone that elevates Malaysia’s airborne artillery to a level comparable with leading expeditionary forces across ASEAN. For a regiment tasked with supporting rapid-deployment and airborne operations, the move represents not merely an equipment upgrade, but a fundamental shift in how artillery fires are generated, coordinated, and sustained in contemporary operations.
Historically, 1 RAD had already begun distancing itself from older artillery paradigms by transitioning from the Second World War–era 25-pounder guns to 105mm Pack Howitzers. While this shift brought incremental improvements, the adoption of the LG1 Mk III — developed by KNDS (formerly Nexter) — represents the first true operational step-change in the regiment’s airborne fire-support capability.
The LG1 Mk III replaces the long-serving Italian-designed OTO Melara Mod 56, which had been a staple of light artillery units worldwide for decades. While respected for its portability and reliability, the Mod 56 increasingly struggled to meet the demands of modern, high-tempo operations characterised by rapid manoeuvre, dispersed forces, and digital command-and-control requirements.
In contrast, the LG1 Mk III has been designed from the outset as a modern lightweight howitzer optimised for expeditionary warfare. It combines enhanced range, improved lethality, and digital integration with the mobility required for airborne and rapid-reaction forces.
1 RAD operates in direct support of the Malaysian Army’s elite 10th Parachute Brigade (10 Bde Para), providing dedicated artillery firepower for airborne insertions, air assault missions, and rapid-deployment operations across diverse terrain.
The regiment is structured into three firing batteries — A, B, and C — supported by a Headquarters element. Each battery operates six guns, reflecting a classical airborne artillery organisational model that balances firepower, mobility, and flexibility. This structure allows the regiment to deploy in modular elements, supporting battalion-sized operations or concentrating fires for larger brigade-level missions.
With the full complement of 18 LG1 Mk III howitzers now in service, 1 RAD is able to deliver sustained, responsive indirect fire in support of manoeuvre forces while maintaining the agility required for rapid redeployment.
At the heart of the LG1 Mk III’s impact is a substantial increase in maximum effective range. The system can engage targets at distances of up to 17 kilometres, compared with the OTO Melara Mod 56’s approximate 10-kilometre envelope. This extended reach allows artillery fires to shape the battlespace far beyond the immediate frontage of friendly manoeuvre units.
In Malaysia’s operational context — characterised by dense jungle, rugged mountainous terrain, and complex littoral environments — the ability to project firepower deeper is particularly significant. Extended range enables commanders to support widely dispersed forces, interdict enemy movement corridors, and deny key terrain without committing additional manoeuvre elements.
Beyond range, the LG1 Mk III delivers a higher and more sustained rate of fire. This improvement is enabled by a modern barrel design, reinforced chamber construction, and optimised recoil systems that allow gun crews to generate denser salvos in compressed timeframes. For airborne and rapid-deployment forces, where early dominance and suppression are critical, the ability to deliver intense fire quickly can be decisive.
Accuracy is another area where the LG1 Mk III significantly outperforms its predecessor. Reduced dispersion ensures that rounds land closer to intended targets, increasing effectiveness against point targets, fortified positions, and mobile adversaries operating in complex terrain. The result is not only greater lethality, but also more efficient ammunition use — an important consideration during extended or logistically constrained operations.
A key enabler of this leap in performance is the LG1 Mk III’s integration with the Thales AS4000 digital Fire Control System. This replaces the largely manual, analogue procedures that defined OTO Melara-era artillery operations.
Through automated ballistic computation, digital gun-laying, and real-time data exchange between forward observers, fire direction centres, and gun crews, the system dramatically shortens sensor-to-shooter timelines. Artillery units can respond to emerging targets in seconds rather than minutes, significantly improving responsiveness under combat conditions.
The elimination of voice-based firing data and manual alignment reduces the risk of error, particularly under stress, while improving first-round accuracy. Networked fire control also enables multiple batteries to deliver synchronised fires, generating coordinated effects across a wider battlespace than was previously feasible.
Automation further reduces crew workload and gun-laying time, enhancing manpower efficiency while enabling rapid emplacement and displacement. This “shoot-and-scoot” capability is increasingly vital in environments where counter-battery threats and surveillance assets demand constant movement.
A notable aspect of Malaysia’s LG1 Mk III programme is the extent of domestic industrial participation. All LG1 Mk III systems operated by 1 RAD were assembled locally at Advanced Defence Systems’ (ADS) Segamat facility in Johor. This reflects Malaysia’s growing role in artillery integration and its commitment to strengthening national defence-industrial capabilities.
The same Segamat facility now serves as the central hub for maintenance, technical support, and sustainment of the regiment’s artillery fleet. Comprehensive support, including spare parts provisioning, is delivered through ADS in partnership with KNDS, ensuring high system availability across all batteries.
This localised sustainment framework significantly reduces reliance on overseas supply chains, while strengthening Malaysia’s defence industrial base and operational sovereignty. By embedding assembly, maintenance, and sustainment domestically, the Malaysian Army shortens repair and turnaround cycles — a critical advantage during high-tempo operations.
Equally important, this end-to-end domestic involvement helps retain technical expertise within Malaysia’s defence ecosystem, reducing long-term dependence on foreign original equipment manufacturers and enhancing institutional knowledge across the armed forces.
From a strategic perspective, the Segamat-based sustainment model enhances Malaysia’s resilience during periods of geopolitical tension or global supply-chain disruption. By ensuring that airborne artillery capabilities remain mission-ready even when external support may be delayed or constrained, the Army improves its overall readiness and credibility.
The operational enhancements delivered by the LG1 Mk III also strengthen Malaysia’s deterrence posture. Rapid-deployment forces backed by credible, responsive, and precise indirect fire are better positioned to respond to contingencies, protect national interests, and contribute to regional stability.
The system’s performance profile further increases 1 RAD’s value in multinational exercises, coalition operations, and peacekeeping missions, where interoperability, precision, and digital integration are increasingly essential. The LG1 Mk III is already in service with several advanced militaries worldwide, facilitating common operating procedures and technical compatibility during joint operations.
Collectively, the transition from the OTO Melara Mod 56 to the LG1 Mk III transforms 1 RAD from a range-limited, manpower-intensive artillery unit into a modern, expeditionary, and digitally enabled fire-support force. The combination of extended range, higher rate of fire, improved accuracy, digital fire control, rapid deployment capability, and domestically supported sustainment represents a comprehensive upgrade rather than a simple replacement.
For the Malaysian Army, the LG1 Mk III is not just a new gun, but a catalyst for doctrinal evolution in airborne artillery operations. As Southeast Asian militaries increasingly focus on mobility, networked warfare, and rapid response, 1 RAD’s new capability positions Malaysia firmly within the front rank of regional expeditionary forces.
In this sense, the LG1 Mk III marks the beginning of a new era for Malaysia’s airborne artillery — one defined by speed, precision, resilience, and integration across the modern battlefield.
