Netizens in Indonesia are certainly familiar with the AV8 Gempita 8×8, this is the eight-wheel-drive ranpur (panzer) family that is the pride of the Malaysian Armed Forces. And there is the latest news regarding the debut of the AV8 Gempita, where at the Defense Services Asia (DSA) 2022 event at the end of last March, the latest variant of Gempita was shown, namely the armored mortar carrier (AMC) – aka the mortar carrier variant.
Quoted from Janes.com (13/4/2022), the Malaysian company Deftech exhibited a prototype variant of the AV8 Gempita 8×8 armored mortar carrier. The Gempita AMC variant is equipped with 120 mm caliber mechatronic mortars and 7.62 mm FN MAG machine guns for protection.
Deftech said that Gempita AMC had undergone extensive testing, including weapons evaluation, and was planned to be officially operational by the Malaysian Army by the end of 2022.
The AV8 Gempita 8×8 AMC variant has a power-to-weight ratio of 18.7±0.2 hp/ton per combat weight and incorporates nuclear, biological and chemical (NBC) protection systems. This Ranpur according to specifications has a combat weight of 29.2 tons. The Gempita AMC variant carries the standard NATO ballistic protection (STANAG) 4569 Level 2 and mine protection at STANAG 4569 Level 3a and 2b.
For the protection of its crew, this ranpur is also equipped with a mine-proof seat and is able to maintain a speed of 30 km per hour up to a distance of 50 km with a flat tire. AV8 Gempita 8×8 AMC variant is equipped with a very high frequency (VHF) radio communication system, high frequency (HF) radio and an intercom system.
About the mortars installed, including large-caliber (120 mm) mortars weighing 1,700 kg. This type of mortar has an effective range of 8.5 km and 15 km with the aid of rockets. The system is running, there are five ready-to-use munitions and 56 munitions in storage. Mortars are controlled via a mechatronic system, but can be operated manually in case of electrical problems.
The AV8 Gempita 8×8 uses a Deutz BFM 2015 Euro 3 diesel engine. This type of engine is also used in the BTR-4M amphibious vehicle of the Indonesian Navy. The Deutz engine offers up to 550 HP of power. And for acceleration, AV8 Gempita is capable of speeding on the highway up to a speed of 100 km per hour.
AV8 Gempita also has the nature of being an amphibious tank, on the back, two water jet propellers are attached to the bilge pump to remove water that enters the vehicle. The driver can start the pump directly from the cockpit. For the speed of wading in the water reaches 8 km per hour. With a fuel tank, Gempita can roam up to 700 km.
Deftech Malaysia has received a license to produce the AV8 Gempita 8×8 from FNSS Savunma Sistemleri, a Turkish weapons manufacturer, which also oversees the birth of the Harimau medium tank with PT Pindad.
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