Weststar Defence Industries
{{Short description|Malaysian defense contractor}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Weststar Defence Industries Sdn Bhd
| logo = File:Weststar Group tower.jpg
| logo_size =
| type = Private Limited Company
| industry = Automotive
Defence
| foundation = {{start date|df=yes|2003}}
| founder =
| defunct =
| location_city =
| location_country = Malaysia
| coordinates =
| locations =
| area_served = South East Asia
| key_people =
| products = Military vehicles
Military/law enforcement equipment and maintenance
Industry/technology consultation
| owner =
| members =
| num_employees =
| parent = [https://weststar.com.my/wg/ Weststar Group]
| divisions =
| subsid = Global Komited
| website = [https://weststar.com.my/wg/wdi/ Weststar Defence Industries]
[https://weststar.com.my/wg/gk/ Weststar Global Komited]
| footnotes =
| intl =
| bodystyle =
}}
Weststar Defence Industries Sdn Bhd,{{Cite web|url=https://www.nst.com.my/business/2018/05/364557/weststar-unit-eyes-more-jobs-govt-and-abroad|title=Weststar unit eyes more jobs from govt and abroad | New Straits Times|first=Ayisy|last=Yusof|date=May 2, 2018|website=NST Online}} also known as Weststar Defense,{{Cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/dsa-2016-gk-m1-trials-continue/|title=DSA 1016, GK-M1 trials continue}} is a Malaysian defence contractor involved in the development, manufacture and distribution of military and law enforcement vehicles, as well as providing consultancy services.
Through its subsidiary Global Komited, it plays an important role in supplying military equipment to Malaysian Armed Forces.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20161031102832/http://weststar.com.my/main/index.php/global-komited-2/|url=http://weststar.com.my/main/index.php/global-komited-2/|publisher=Weststar Group|accessdate=2017-06-14|archivedate=2016-10-31|title=Global Komited}}
History
File:59th Merdeka Day, Picture 8.jpg
It was established in 2003 as a Ford vehicle dealership before it moved to the defense industry in 2007.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614134034/https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/press-release/malaysias-global-komited-and-thales-sign-partnership-agreement|url=https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/press-release/malaysias-global-komited-and-thales-sign-partnership-agreement|publisher=Thales Group|accessdate=2017-06-14|archivedate=2017-06-14|date=2016-06-14|title=Malaysia's Global Komited and Thales sign partnership agreement for distribution of Ground Based Air Defence systems in Malaysia}}
On 6 March 2012, the Malaysian Defense Ministry announced that Weststar would supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with the General Service (GS) cargo trucks. 11 GS cargo trucks were supplied in 2012.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614131723/http://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/new_4x4_light_tactical_vehicle_for_the_malaysian_armed_forces_the_weststar_gsc_3/4_ton_0603122.html|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/march_2012_new_army_military_defence_industry/new_4x4_light_tactical_vehicle_for_the_malaysian_armed_forces_the_weststar_gsc_3/4_ton_0603122.html|title=New 4x4 light tactical vehicle for the Malaysian armed forces the Weststar GSC 3/4 ton|accessdate=2017-06-14|archivedate=2017-06-14|date=2012-03-06|publisher=Army Recognition}}{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20120628062544/http://www.armyrecognition.com/dsa_2012_defense_exhibition_malaysia_news/weststar_4x4_gs_cargo_new_4x4_light_tactical_cargo_troop_carrier_vehicle_malaysian_army_2004123.html|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com/dsa_2012_defense_exhibition_malaysia_news/weststar_4x4_gs_cargo_new_4x4_light_tactical_cargo_troop_carrier_vehicle_malaysian_army_2004123.html|title=Weststar 4x4 GS Cargo, the new 4x4 light tactical cargo troop carrier vehicle of Malaysian army|date=2012-04-20|accessdate=2017-06-14|archivedate=2012-06-28|publisher=Army Recognition}}
On 16 April 2014, a contract was signed with Thales in order to promote various air defense systems to the Malaysian Armed Forces.{{Cite web|url=https://www.thalesgroup.com/en/worldwide/defence/press-release/malaysias-global-komited-and-thales-sign-partnership-agreement|title=Malaysia’s Global Komited and Thales sign partnership agreement for distribution of Ground Based Air Defence systems in Malaysia | Thales Group|date=April 16, 2014|website=www.thalesgroup.com}}
On 10 June 2014, Weststar was awarded a contract to supply the Timor Leste Defence Force with GS cargo trucks. 10 vehicles were to be delivered before the end of the year, and the company claimed that another 40 were to be ordered.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614104428/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/east-timor-selects-weststar-cargo-military-vehicle/|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/east-timor-selects-weststar-cargo-military-vehicle/|date=2014-06-10|archivedate=2017-06-14|accessdate=2017-06-14|title=East Timor selects Weststar cargo military vehicles|publisher=Shephard Media}} The contract was priced at RM11 million (£2 million).
During the Defence & Security Exhibition 2015 convention, Thales which partnered with Weststar subsidiary, Global Komited announced that it had signed a contract to supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with ForceSHIELD to serve as its air defense system. This included Starstreak missiles, Ground Master 200 radar and weapon coordination systems, and Rapid Ranger and Rapid Rover mobile weapon systems.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20150919072107/http://www.armyrecognition.com/dsei_2015_news_online_show_daily_coverage_report_u/thales_to_provide_forceshield_and_starstreak_to_malaysia_41509151.html|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com:80/dsei_2015_news_online_show_daily_coverage_report_u/thales_to_provide_forceshield_and_starstreak_to_malaysia_41509151.html|title=Thales to provide Forceshield and Starstreak to Malaysia|date=2015-09-15|accessdate=2017-06-14|archivedate=2015-09-19|publisher=Army Recognition|url-status=dead}}
On 20 April 2016, Weststar received a contract from the Malaysian Armed Forces to equip them with 44 Weststar GK-M1 Rapid Rover vehicles. An additional 44 were also expected to be ordered. They would be installed with the Starstreak very short-range air defence (VSHORAD) missile on a Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML) system.{{cite press release|url=http://weststar.com.my/main/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/WESTSTAR-DEFENCE-INDUSTRIES-SIGNS-PROCUREMENT-CONTRACT-WITH-MINDEF-FOR-THE-SUPPLY-AND-COMMISSIONING-OF-STARSTREAK-VSHORAD-GROUND-BASED-AIR-DEFENCE-SYSTEM.pdf|title=Weststar Defence Industries Signs Procurement Contract with MINDEF for the Supply and Commissioning of STARStreak VSHORAD Ground Based Air Defence System|publisher=Weststar Group|date=2016-04-22|accessdate=2017-06-14}} Prototypes were tested after the contract was announced.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614135544/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/dsa-2016-gk-m1-trials-continue/|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/dsa-2016-gk-m1-trials-continue/|title=DSA 2016: GK-M1 trials continue|author=Tim Fish|publisher=Shephard Media|accessdate=2017-06-14|archivedate=2017-06-14|date=2016-04-19}}
At the Defence Service Asia (DSA) 2016 exhibition, Weststar unveiled the Special Operations Vehicle (SOV) to visitors to showcase it to potential customers.{{cite web|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20160726030923/http://www.armyrecognition.com/dsa_2016_official_online_show_daily_news/new_weststar_4x4_defence_special_operations_vehicle_sov_at_dsa_2016_11904165.html|url=http://www.armyrecognition.com:80/dsa_2016_official_online_show_daily_news/new_weststar_4x4_defence_special_operations_vehicle_sov_at_dsa_2016_11904165.html|publisher=Army Recognition|accessdate=2017-06-14|archivedate=2016-07-26|date=2016-04-19|title=New Weststar 4x4 Defence Special Operations Vehicle SOV at DSA 2016|url-status=dead}}
Weststar through its subsidiary, Global Komited has supplied Malaysian Armed Forces with 12 IAG Guardian in 2017.{{Cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/malaysian-guardians-watch-over-peacekeepers/|title=Malaysian Guardians to watch over peacekeepers | Shephard|website=www.shephardmedia.com|date=2017-10-17}}
In 2023, Weststar supplied Malaysian Armed Forces with CW-25D hybrid VTOL UAS completed with two truck mounted command and control vehicle.{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiandefence.com/more-stuff-delivered-for-the-army-october-2023/|title=More Stuff Delivered for The Army, October 2023|first=Marhalim|last=Abas|date=2023-11-01|website=Malaysian Defence}}
At the Defence Service Asia (DSA) 2024, Weststar stated that they has delivered 50 an updated version of the vehicle called GK-M2 to the Malaysian Armed Forces while another 50 will be delivered in 2025 and another 50 in 2026. At the same exhibition also, Weststar announced that they had received a contract to supply four IAG Guardian to the Royal Malaysia Police.{{cite web|url=https://www.malaysiandefence.com/its-the-guardian-extreme-for-gof-apc/|title=Its the Guardian Extreme for GOF APC}}
Products
- Weststar Maxus van
- Ambulance
- Firefighting vehicle
- Weststar GS cargo truck
- Weststar SOV{{Cite web|url=https://www.edrmagazine.eu/four-contenders-for-the-new-royal-malaysian-army-special-operations-vehicle|title=Four contenders for the new Royal Malaysian Army Special Operations Vehicle|first=Paolo|last=Valpolini|date=April 21, 2018}}
- Weststar GK-M1/M2
- IAG Guardian (partnered with International Armored Group){{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiandefence.com/guardians-coming-soon-to-lebanon-dsa-2018-shorts/|title=Guardians Soon To Lebanon - DSA 2018 Shorts|first=Marhalim|last=Abas|date=April 16, 2018|website=Malaysian Defence}}
- ForceSHIELD air defence system (partnered with Thales)
- CW-007, CW-15, CW-25 UAV/UAS (partnered with JOUAV){{Cite web|url=https://www.airtimes.my/2023/10/31/tentera-darat-terima-6-unit-uas-pertingkat-operasi-perisikan-taktikal-krd/|title=Tentera Darat terima 6 unit UAS pertingkat operasi perisikan taktikal KRD|first=Nurul|last=Huda|date=October 31, 2023|website=Air Times News Network}}