Malaysia is preparing to embark on one of the most ambitious land systems modernization programs in its history, with the phased induction of the locally developed HMAV 4×4 Tarantula armoured vehicle into the Malaysian Armed Forces (MAF) beginning in 2027.
The Tarantula, a product of Mildef International Technologies, represents a landmark achievement for Malaysia’s defence industry — the nation’s first indigenously designed and tested mine-resistant armoured vehicle capable of meeting international battlefield standards.
With a projected 136 units to be delivered under a five-year program, the Tarantula is being hailed not merely as a new combat asset, but as a catalyst for Malaysia’s defence industrial revolution.
The rollout of the Tarantula has been deliberately structured into phased deliveries to ensure operational efficiency and adherence to the Malaysian Army’s evolving requirements.
According to Mildef’s Managing Director, the program’s first year will focus on producing the Final User Vehicle (FUV), also referred to as the Sealed Pattern. This prototype will act as the benchmark model for the full production line.
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Phase One (2027): 30 units are expected for delivery in early 2027, followed by another 30 vehicles by year’s end.
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Subsequent Phases (2028–2031): 76 more vehicles will complete the full order of 136 units, distributed across different regiments and configured into various specialized roles.
This cautious yet determined approach ensures that the vehicle’s design, ballistic protection, and mobility performance strictly align with the Malaysian Army’s battlefield doctrine.
“The Tarantula has been designed as a multi-role vehicle for modern hybrid warfare,” said Mildef’s Managing Director during the programme unveiling. “Our phased strategy ensures that every vehicle delivered not only meets but exceeds operational requirements.”
At its core, the Tarantula is a 14-tonne, mine-resistant armoured vehicle, powered by a Caterpillar 6.6-litre inline six-cylinder turbo-diesel engine.
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Power-to-weight ratio: 24 horsepower per tonne, ensuring high tactical mobility.
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Operational temperature range: -21°C to 49°C, designed for both tropical humidity and extreme climates.
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Ground clearance: Optimized for Malaysia’s jungle, riverine, and mountainous terrains.
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Ballistic protection: STANAG 4569 Level 2 hull and Level 2B underbelly, protecting against small-arms fire, mine blasts, and improvised explosive devices (IEDs).
The Tarantula’s modular design allows it to adapt to multiple mission profiles. It can be configured as a:
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Basic Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC)
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Armoured Combat Vehicle (ACV) with heavier weapon integration
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Armoured Recovery Vehicle (ARV)
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Armoured Ambulance for battlefield medical evacuation
The vehicle can also mount mission-specific weapons including a 12.7mm Remote-Controlled Weapon Station (RCWS), Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGM), and Multiple Grenade Launchers (MGL).
Malaysia has subjected the Tarantula to one of the most comprehensive evaluation campaigns in the nation’s defence history.
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2021: Vehicle Capability Test conducted in Malaysia’s varied terrain, including jungle tracks and highland routes.
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2023: Company capability evaluation by the Ministry of Defence.
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Thailand: Ballistic live-fire testing to validate armour resilience.
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South Africa: Underbelly mine blast trials in a country renowned for mine-resistant vehicle expertise.
The Ministry of Defence confirmed that the Tarantula passed all evaluation benchmarks, making it eligible for full-scale induction.
A pivotal dimension of the Tarantula’s evolution is Malaysia’s partnership with ASELSAN, Türkiye’s leading defence technology firm.
At LIMA 2025, Mildef and ASELSAN formalized a deal to integrate advanced mission systems onto the Tarantula platform.
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Battlefield Command-and-Control (C2) systems
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Tactical communications suites
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Electro-optics for surveillance and targeting
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Advanced weapon integration
This transforms the Tarantula from a troop carrier into a networked combat vehicle, optimized for multi-domain operations.
ASELSAN also pledged to transfer key technology and industrial know-how to Malaysia, reinforcing the government’s ambition to make Malaysia a regional hub for armoured vehicle production.
“The Tarantula will not only be a Malaysian vehicle but an integrated battlefield solution,” an ASELSAN spokesperson stated. “It embodies modern hybrid warfare requirements: survivability, connectivity, and adaptability.”
The Tarantula’s induction coincides with a broader Asia-Pacific arms race in land mobility platforms.
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Thailand has procured VN1 armoured vehicles from China.
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Indonesia is modernizing its Anoa fleet.
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Philippines is expanding its fleet of Sabrah light tanks and wheeled APCs.
Hybrid threats, grey-zone tactics, and insurgency risks have driven regional militaries to invest in vehicles with mine resistance, modular flexibility, and strong protection suites.
By fielding its first indigenous solution, Malaysia positions itself not only as a consumer but also as a producer and exporter in this increasingly competitive sector.
Mildef’s ambition does not end with the Tarantula. The company has also revealed that it is competing for a United Nations tender to supply 50 High-Mobility Light Tactical Vehicles (HMLTV) under the brand name Ribat.
The Ribat, designed for international peacekeeping missions, represents Mildef’s first serious step into the global tactical vehicle market.
With an annual production capacity of 60 vehicles, Mildef is well-positioned to meet UN requirements while simultaneously serving the Malaysian Army’s domestic needs.
The name “Ribat,” personally inspired by Malaysia’s Prime Minister, carries symbolic weight — meaning “vigilance in defence of the homeland.”
Malaysia’s Prime Minister is expected to inaugurate Mildef’s new national armoured vehicle factory in Sendayan, Negeri Sembilan.
This facility will serve as the industrial anchor for Tarantula mass production and as a hub for future defence programmes.
The government has already signed a Letter of Intent (LOI) worth RM1.8 billion (USD 384 million) for the procurement of 136 Tarantulas, underscoring its financial and political backing.
The Tarantula project carries multi-layered impacts across Malaysia’s economy and security environment:
- Job Creation & SMEs – The program will create jobs in manufacturing, maintenance, and supply chains while stimulating local small and medium enterprises.
- Technological Advancement – Partnerships with ASELSAN accelerate Malaysia’s capacity in systems integration, command-and-control, and advanced electronics.
- Export Potential – The Tarantula provides Malaysia with an export-ready platform for Asia-Pacific, Africa, and UN peacekeeping markets.
- Strategic Autonomy – By reducing reliance on imports, Malaysia enhances its ability to withstand geopolitical shocks and arms embargoes.
- Military Capability – The Malaysian Army gains a fleet capable of both conventional warfighting and peacekeeping missions, increasing its flexibility across domestic and international theatres.
In an era of intensifying competition in Southeast Asia — from South China Sea militarization to land-border security challenges — the Tarantula programme stands as a statement of Malaysia’s intent to defend its sovereignty and autonomy.
For the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Tarantula provides not only a platform for survivability and mobility but also a symbol of national pride in indigenous innovation.
For Mildef, it opens the door to becoming a regional defence industry player, moving Malaysia from a net importer to a credible producer.
