DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies SDN BHD (DEFTECH) and Iveco Defence Vehicles held an exchange of documents ceremony for a Cooperation Agreement (CA) to work together on the local establishment of an authorised Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) centre for Iveco Defence Vehicles trucks in Malaysia. The event took place during the Defence Services Asia 2022, at MITEC between DEFTECH CEO, En Fazley Ariffin on behalf of DEFTECH and Francescomaria Tuccillo, Head of Iveco Defence Vehicles Export Sales, on behalf of Iveco Defence Vehicles.
DEFTECH and Iveco Defence Vehicles had partnered recently on the supply of 132 units of 3-tonne GS Cargo trucks, from Iveco’s Eurocargo family of vehicles, to the Malaysian Army. Both companies are also cooperating on the further supply of a second batch of 150 units. Iveco Defence Vehicles considers the Malaysian defence market of the utmost importance. To capitalise on this potential, DEFTECH and Iveco Defence Vehicles are grasping the opportunity to establish an authorised MRO centre in Malaysia to directly take care of the vehicles currently in service, and any potential additional vehicles that the Malaysian Armed Forces would be procuring in the future. The MRO centre is expected to provide a faster, more robust and efficient after sales solution.
DEFTECH’s wholly owned subsidiary, Defence Sales & Services Sdn Bhd (DSSB), Malaysia’s premier MRO outfit focusing in military vehicles for both armoured and soft skin vehicles, is expected to eventually execute the agreed collaboration work-scope set out in the CA.
“The 4×4 GS Cargo truck is the workhorse of the Malaysian Armed Forces. DEFTECH is committed to providing the Malaysian defence forces with a sturdy and reliable machine. With that in mind, DEFTECH has partnered with Iveco Defence Vehicles, a well-trusted and globally proven company. Establishing a localised MRO centre will also enhance the serviceability of each vehicle ensuring a consistently reliable fleet”, said Mr Fazley Ariffin, DEFTECH’s CEO.
“We consider the Malaysian defence market strategic and pivotal for the whole Asia-Pacific area. For this very reason, Iveco Defence Vehicles is glad to count on the new-born cooperation with DEFTECH, as a cornerstone for mutual support also on different classes of vehicles, including armoured ones, for the benefit and growth of the Royal Malaysian Armed Forces. Aiming to establish an Authorized Workshop in Malaysia will represent a concrete step ahead in this direction”, said Francescomaria Tuccillo, Head of Iveco Defence Vehicles Export Sales.
