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| OTO Melara Mod 56 105mm Artillery |
International Military - The older the more respected. Indonesia's neighboring country, Malaysia, apparently likes to use an old weapon system. One of the old weapons used by Malaysia is the Howitzer Mod 56 105mm Artillery Pack.
Called 65 years old, the Pack Howitzer Mod 56 artillery remains the backbone of the Malaysian Army's artillery unit. Although 18 LG1 MKIII 105mm guns were first used by the Royal 1st Para Artillery Regiment (1 RAD Para) the backbone of the national army artillery unit remains the 105mm Oto Melara Model 56 (Mode 56) gun.
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Developed by the Italian company Oto Melara, the gun, also known as the Pack Howitzer, began production in 1957 and more than 30 countries continue to use it. Quoted from Defense Security Asia, this Artillery Pack Howitzer has been involved in various wars and conflicts ranging from the Falklands War, Vietnam War, Malaysia-Indonesia Confrontation to efforts to fight Communist terrorists by the Malaysian Armed Forces (ATM).
"Even though it is now 65 years old, it remains the backbone of the Malaysian Army's artillery units, with more than 100 Pack Howitzer Mod 56 artillery units still in use by our military personnel," the Malaysian media quoted him as saying.
The Malaysian media believe that members of the neighboring country's military are highly skilled in handling Pack Howitzers. The reason is, this is most likely the 105mm artillery system they have operated from the start of their assignment until their retirement day.
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Their knowledge of the intricacies of handling Pack Howitzer artillery can be likened to the English phrase Know Like The Back Of Your Hand. Designed by a senior Italian military officer, General Salvatore Fuscaldi in 1956, the Pack Howitzer gun was developed to meet the needs of the country's military brigade known as the Alpini.
As the name suggests, this brigade operates in the Alps. They wanted a lightweight, flexible and compact artillery system that could be deployed easily in difficult mountainous and hilly areas. Artelery Pack Howitzer Mod. The 56 which weighs only about 1,200kg can be broken into 12 pieces and transported by animals such as donkeys, horses or camels and this feature makes this gun ideal for use in roadless areas.
The crew of this cannon can remove its components and reassemble it in just 3-4 minutes. The maximum range of the Howitzer Pack artillery used by the Malaysian Army is approximately 10.5 km and can also be used as an anti-tank weapon and as a mortar system.
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Due to the popularity of the Howitzer Pack gun that it is used by NATO countries and military forces around the world, the Chinese defense company NORINCO has also copied and developed a similar gun system. In contrast to the Army having reliable old cannons, the Malaysian Navy is the opposite.
Previously, Defense Security Asia highlighted the continued decline in the Malaysian Navy's combat strength. Assets owned by the Malaysian Navy are said to be obsolete or old. Some assets owned by the Malaysian Navy are even said to be in excess of operational time.
There are at least about 61 percent of Malaysian Navy assets that are old. This is a distinct loss for the Malaysian Navy. With obsolete assets, it certainly affects the combat strength of the Malaysian Navy.
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“Recently he also noted that about 61 percent or more than half of the assets he owns have operated beyond the original lifespan of the design and have become obsolete.” he explained. The problems faced by the Malaysian Navy are clearly a crucial homework for Malaysian officials.
"RMN's capabilities are seen as unequal to navies from various countries and this makes RMN not a credible strategic partner, thus affecting the country's international defense relations," wrote Defense Security Asia. The future of the Malaysian Navy is currently on the brink.
Because if an upgrade is not immediately carried out by adding more modern and sophisticated assets, the Malaysian Navy will be left globally. Moreover, considering that Malaysia is one of the countries with a capable economy in ASEAN.
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Even though they both strengthen the Malaysian state, it seems that the conditions of the Army and the neighboring Navy are also different. If the Navy is down, the Malaysian Army has old weapons at its disposal.