PORT DICKSON: The Armed Forces is planning to replace obsolete assets deployed under the United Nations Interim Force in Lebanon (Unifil) mission.
Joint Forces Commander Lt Gen Datuk Indera Yazid Arshad said the assets included 39 Condor armoured vehicles, which have been in service since 2006. He said the replacement was to ensure the readiness of the Malaysian Battalion (Malbatt) peacekeeping mission was at optimum level.
He said despite their age, the assets were still functioning well following systematic maintenance. In addition to Lebanon, they had also been deployed to Somalia and Bosnia-Herzegovina.
"Recently, we have also received some assets, including 20 FFR (Fitted for Radio) four-wheel drive vehicles and 15 three-tonne trucks GS Cargo trucks, in addition to six three-tonne trucks, two one-tonne trucks, two ambulances and communication devices.
"In the future, we plan to procure 20 armoured vehicles to replace the Condor vehicles we have now in phases between 2026 and 2028," he told reporters after the medal presentation and dissolution of Malbatt 850-9 ceremony here today.
Yazid said the Armed Forces also planned to procure 59 High Mobility Light Tactical Vehicles which would be used by the army to enhance its operational capabilities.
Meanwhile, he said despite facing various challenges such as the land of uncertainty, it did not affect the readiness of 854 personnel, including those from the Royal Brunei Armed Forces in carrying out their peacekeeping mission in Lebanon since Nov 13, 2021.
He said instead the challenges had become their catalyst to continue to maintain a high operations tempo by holding the principle of "Serving for Peace".
Yazid said in fact the 10 per cent increase in the number of female personnel in the contingent has had a positive impact on all Civil-Military Cooperation (Cimic) activities involving women and children on the ground.
"This also supports the United Nations' (UN) aspiration for 15 per cent participation of women in UN missions, so for Malbatt 850-9, the number will be gradually increased to 15 per cent by 2028," he said.
He stated that Malbatt 850-9 had successfully conducted a total of 24,198 operational activities, including independent and coordinated activities with the Lebanese Armed Forces covering an area of 288 sq km, which was Unifil's largest area of responsibility.
Yazid also expressed pride over the achievement of Malbatt 850-9 commander Colonel Megat Maz Ardi Nohuddin after he became the first Malbatt commander to receive a Medal of Recognition from Italy for his contribution and service.
The Croce Commemorative Per La Partecipazione Alle Operazioni Di Pace award was personally presented to Megat Maz Ardi by the Unifil Sector West Commander, he added. - Bernama