Weststar GK-M1 is a Malaysian light tactical vehicle designed and manufactured by Weststar Defence Industries.

Weststar GK-M1
Weststar GK-M1 armed with M134D-H minigun during 59th National Day Parade
Type	Light tactical vehicle
Place of origin	Malaysia
Production history
Designed	2012[1]
Manufacturer	Weststar Defence Industries
Produced	2015-present
Specifications
Mass	4 tonnes
Length	5.7 meters
Width	1.8 meters
Height	2 meters
Main armament	See variants
Suspension	4x4
Maximum speed	110 km/h

History

Weststar delivered an unknown quantity of the GK-M1 in 2015.[2] On April 20, 2016, Weststar received another contract from the Malaysian Armed Forces to equip them with 44 Weststar GK-M1 Rapid Rover vehicles.[3] An additional 44 were also to be ordered.[4]

During the Defence & Security Exhibition 2015 convention, Thales announced that it had signed a contract to supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with ForceSHIELD anti-air defense system which is consist of Starstreak missiles, Control Master 200 radar and weapon control system. This system will be install on Weststar GK-M1.[5][3]

Design

The GK-M1 is outfitted with a Toyota engine.[6]

Variants

Fitted For Radio

Command and communication vehicle to accommodate communications equipment.

Ambulance

Ambulance vehicle with accommodation of stretchers in the rear compartment.

Special Operation Vehicle

An off-road vehicle for special forces units made with COTS parts, unveiled in Defence Service Asia 2016.[7] Offered to the Grup Gerak Khas under the light strike vehicle procurement program.[8]

Weapon Carrier

A variant equipped with weapons on top of the vehicle. Weapons mounted include the M134D-H minigun.[9]

Air Defence

Air defence variant equipped with Starstreak surface-to-air missiles.[5] They're installed through a Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML).[10]

Operators

•  Malaysia: 100+ GK-M1s reported in service with the Malaysian Army as of 2020.[11][12]

References