What Defence Technologies does

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn. Bhd. (DEFTECH) is a Malaysian defence prime contractor incorporated on 17 October 1996 and wholly owned by DRB-HICOM Berhad. The company designs, develops, manufactures, and supplies armoured and logistics vehicles for the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Malaysian Army, and the Royal Malaysia Police, with additional commercial offerings (MyMedic, MyGrocer, outreach command centre vehicles) sold to non-defence government and commercial buyers. Its core platforms include the AV8 GEMPITA multi-variant 8x8 wheeled armoured vehicle family (12 configurations built on a Deutz 550 hp / ZF HP 902 driveline), the ACV-300 Adnan tracked armoured combat vehicle co-developed with Turkey's FNSS, and the Lipan Bara armoured personnel carrier. Operations are anchored by a RM170 million+ manufacturing footprint in Pekan, Pahang, and an HQ in Shah Alam, with three operating subsidiaries: Defence Services Sdn. Bhd. (DSSB) for armoured-vehicle MRO, DEFTECH Aviation for aerospace composites MRO (Airbus A320, Boeing B737, CN235, BAE Hawk), and DEFTECH Unmanned Systems for tactical UAVs, VTOL platforms, and inspection services.

DEFTECH's revenue model combines B2G hardware sales (armoured and logistics vehicles, UAVs) with multi-year managed service contracts (MRO sustainment for the Malaysian Army fleet and aerospace platforms). Pricing is not publicly disclosed; contracts are awarded through Malaysian government defence procurement on a tender basis, typically as multi-year arrangements. Go-to-market relies on direct engagement with procurement officials and military decision-makers, supplemented by major defence exhibitions — DSA (Defence Services Asia) serves as the principal venue for product reveals (DSA 2022: first Malaysian tactical UAV; DSA 2024: ACV-300 Adnan LEP, AENBCRV, AHRV, multiple VTOL UAVs). The company holds DGTA accreditation as both an Approved Maintenance Organisation (AMO) and Authorised Engineering Organisation (AEO) for unmanned aircraft systems — making it the only national UAV operator with that status — and is certified to ISO 9001, ISO 14001, and ISO 45001 across all major facilities.

The technology portfolio is broadening from traditional armoured vehicles into autonomous and software-defined defence. The 2025 launch of the Tuah fully-electric autonomous UGV (co-developed with Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah) and a 2025 framework partnership with Oracle for sovereign AI and cloud solutions signal a pivot toward AI-featured and platform-based offerings, though core revenue remains anchored in domestic armoured vehicle and MRO contracts. International partnerships span FNSS (Turkey), Rheinmetall, Thales, Aselsan, Deutz, FN Herstal, Smiths Detection, DJI, POSCO, Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI), and Denel (South Africa), supporting technology transfer and component supply. Customer concentration is extremely high — effectively a single national buyer — but switching costs are correspondingly elevated through long-lifecycle fleet sustainment programmes such as the proposed 15-year ACV-300 LEP.

Name

Defence Technologies

Legal name

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies Sdn. Bhd.

Website

https://deftech.com.my

Company type

Private

Founded year

1996

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

501–1,000 employees

Short description

DEFTECH (DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies) is a Malaysian defence prime contractor, wholly owned by DRB-HICOM Berhad since 1996, that designs, manufactures, and sustains armoured and logistics vehicles for the Malaysian Armed Forces, the Malaysian Army, and the Royal Malaysia Police.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Military Armoured Vehicles

NAICS

Other Aircraft Parts and Auxiliary Equipment Manufacturing (336413), Guided Missile and Space Vehicle Manufacturing (336414), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (33641), Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)

SIC

Aircraft & Parts (3720), Guided Missiles & Space Vehicles & Parts (3760), Ordnance & Accessories, (No Vehicles/Guided Missiles) (3480)

akta.pro primary industry

Specialty Vehicle Body Manufacturing (Emergency/Military/Mobile Clinics) (IMACAGAD)

akta.pro secondary industries

VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH)

Keywords

• Armoured military vehicles
• Defence land systems
• Unmanned aerial systems
• Aerospace composites MRO
• Military logistics vehicles

Headquarters

HQ city

Shah Alam

HQ country

Malaysia

HQ region

Asia

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales

Revenue model

1. Armoured and Logistics Vehicle Sales: Design, development, manufacturing, and supply of armoured fighting vehicles, infantry fighting vehicles, armoured command vehicles, and logistics trucks for Malaysian military and homeland security. Includes multiple variants of the AV8 GEMPITA and ACV-300 platforms.
2. Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) Services: DEFTECH and its subsidiaries provide MRO services for land vehicles, aerospace composites, and UAV systems. Defence Services Sdn. Bhd. handles third and fourth line maintenance for the Malaysian Army's armoured vehicle fleet. DEFTECH Aviation provides MRO for narrow-body aircraft and helicopters including Airbus A320, Boeing B737, CN235, and BAE Hawk.
3. Commercial and Specialised Vehicle Sales: DEFTECH's commercial arm supplies specialised vehicles including MyMedic, MyGrocer, Outreach Command Centre Vehicles, and commercial buses to non-defence government agencies and commercial customers.
4. UAV Products and Services: DEFTECH Unmanned Systems offers UAV products including tactical and VTOL platforms, as well as inspection services for pipelines, power lines, and electrical towers. Revenue from both product sales and service contracts.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels1 record

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

DEFTECH designs, develops, manufactures, and supplies armoured vehicles (AV8 GEMPITA family with 12 variants, ACV-300 Adnan, Lipan Bara) and logistics vehicles (Handalan, 1 Tonne GS Cargo, Field Ambulance, EOD vehicles) for Malaysian military and homeland security. The company also operates unmanned aerial systems (tactical UAVs, VTOL platforms, Tuah autonomous UGV) through its DEFTECH Unmanned Systems subsidiary, and provides aerospace composites MRO services through DEFTECH Aviation for Airbus A320, Boeing B737, CN235, and BAE Hawk aircraft.

Product overview

DRB-HICOM Defence Technologies (DEFTECH) is a Malaysian defence manufacturer offering a comprehensive portfolio of land systems, aerospace, and unmanned systems products. The core product line centres on the AV8 GEMPITA armoured wheeled vehicle family with multiple variants (IFV, AFV, ATGW, ACV, RCWS, ambulance, mortar carrier, recovery, NBC reconnaissance), supplemented by the ACV-300 ADNAN tracked armoured combat vehicle developed with FNSS, and the LIPAN BARA armored personnel carrier. Commercial vehicle offerings include MYMEDIC (medical transport), MYGROCER (delivery), and OUTREACH COMMAND CENTRE VEHICLE. The unmanned systems portfolio, operated through DEFTECH Unmanned Systems subsidiary, includes tactical UAVs, VTOL platforms (XB-M1, XC-L1, SR-10), target recognition systems (SKYBOT), and mobile ground control stations. DEFTECH Aviation provides aerospace composites MRO for Airbus A320, Boeing B737, CN235, and BAE Hawk. The group also operates Defence Services Sdn Bhd for armoured vehicle MRO. All products share a common thread of indigenous Malaysian design and manufacturing with international certifications.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• AV8 GEMPITA Armoured Wheeled Vehicle Multi-variant wheeled armoured vehicle platform with 12 configurations (IFV25, AFV30, ATGW, ACV, AVS, SURV, RCWS, AMB, AMC, AVF, AHRV, AENBCRV). Powered by Deutz TCD 2015 V6 engine producing 410 kW (550 hp), ZF HP 902 fully automatic transmission, independent suspension on all wheel stations, and computer-controlled pneumatic ride height adjustment. In service with the Malaysian Army.
• ACV-300 Adnan Armoured Combat Vehicle Tracked infantry fighting vehicle co-developed with Turkish manufacturer FNSS, featuring 25mm Sharpshooter turret, available in IFV and other configurations. Upgraded Adnan prototype unveiled at DSA 2024 with Life Extension Programme targeting 15+ additional years of service.
• Lipan Bara Armoured Personnel Carrier Armoured personnel carrier with 8-11 crew capacity, Cummins ISB 300hp engine, 110 km/h max speed, automatic transmission, rigid axle with CTIS, heavy-duty drum air brakes, and 360-degree manual turret system supporting 7.62mm GPMG, 12.7mm HMG, and 76mm grenade launchers.
• 1 Tonne GS Cargo Military Vehicle

Quantifiable outcome

• Tuah UGV: fully electric autonomous vehicle with AI-driven navigation and edge computing, developed domestically in Malaysia — first university-industry collaboration to bring a UGV to market readiness
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers3 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Feature6 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.

• Gloucestershire PoliceminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 December 2025Defence Holdings PLC's Defence Technologies division initiated a strategic collaboration with Gloucestershire Police to develop AI-enabled automation for interview reporting, aiming to improve efficiency and accuracy. The project could expand across UK policing, defence, and national security, aligning with the UK Strategic Defence Review and Sovereign AI investment strategy.
• OraclecoreTechnology or Integration · 1 November 2025Defence Holdings PLC announced a framework partnership between its subsidiary Defence Technologies and Oracle, enabling global defence and national security clients to access sovereign AI and cloud solutions via Oracle Cloud Infrastructure. The collaboration is part of Oracle's Oracle Defense Ecosystem initiative, joining alongside existing members including Whitespace. Oracle's cloud infrastructure supports DEFTECH's sovereign AI capabilities for defence organisations.
• Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah (UMPSA)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2025DEFTECH and UMPSA jointly developed 'Tuah,' a fully electric autonomous unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) featuring AI-driven navigation, edge computing, and battlefield fleet management. This is the first university-industry collaboration to bring a UGV to market readiness in Malaysia. All software, hardware, and data servers were developed and hosted domestically.
• Universiti Pertahanan Nasional Malaysia (UPNM)minorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024DEFTECH signed a cooperation agreement with UPNM to enhance R&D related to unmanned aerial vehicles and other automotive sector-related fields. The partnership aims to strengthen industry-academia collaboration in defence technology development.
• SIRIMminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 March 2022DEFTECH signed a cooperation agreement with SIRIM (Standard and Industrial Research Institute of Malaysia) for the development and manufacturing of military components. SIRIM's research and testing capabilities complement DEFTECH's manufacturing expertise in the defence sector.
• FNSS (Turkey)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2011DEFTECH has maintained a long-standing partnership with Turkish defence company FNSS since 2011, beginning with the supply of AV8 Gempita armoured vehicles to the Malaysian Army. The partnership was extended in 2024 to include the upgraded ACV-300 'Adnan' tracked armoured combat vehicle prototype unveiled at DSA 2024. FNSS brings tracked vehicle technology and turret systems expertise to the collaboration.

Scale indicators4 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• FNSS Savunma Sistemleri: Turkish tracked and wheeled armoured vehicle manufacturer that has been DEFTECH's long-standing partner since 2011 and co-developed the ACV-300 Adnan. Direct peer in armoured vehicle platforms serving national armies.
• PT Pindad: Indonesian state-owned defence manufacturer producing armoured vehicles, weapons, and munitions. Closest geographic and structural peer to DEFTECH — an indigenous Southeast Asian defence prime serving its national military.

Broad incumbents

• Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI): Turkey's aerospace prime covering fixed-wing aircraft, UAVs, and helicopters. Listed as a DEFTECH partner; comparable as a multi-domain national defence champion with adjacent UAS capabilities.
• Aselsan: Turkish defence electronics company specialising in communications, EW, radar, and electro-optic systems. DEFTECH integration partner; comparable as a national-scale defence electronics supplier supporting armoured vehicle and UAS programmes.
• Thales Group: Global defence electronics and systems integrator. DEFTECH partner; comparable as a Tier-1 supplier of avionics, communications, and mission systems into national defence vehicle programmes.
• Denel SOC Ltd: South African state-owned defence manufacturer producing armoured vehicles, weapons, and aerospace systems. Listed DEFTECH partner; comparable as an emerging-market national defence prime with multi-domain portfolio.
• BAE Systems Land & Armaments: Global armoured vehicle and combat systems prime producing platforms such as the CV90 and Bradley. Comparable as a Tier-1 Western competitor supplying tracked and wheeled armoured vehicles to allied militaries.
• Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL): Indian state-owned aerospace and defence manufacturer producing aircraft, helicopters, UAVs, and engines. Comparable as a large, diversified national defence OEM with aerospace MRO and emerging UAS operations.
• Rheinmetall Defence: German defence prime offering armoured vehicles, weapons, and ammunition. DEFTECH integration partner; comparable as a Tier-1 Western supplier of armoured vehicle subsystems into emerging-market defence primes.

Emerging players

• Hanwha Defense: South Korean defence manufacturer producing K9 self-propelled howitzers, armored vehicles, and unmanned systems. Comparable as an Asia-Pacific armoured vehicle and emerging UAS player expanding into global defence markets.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCyJj8rv9U00FmaNCtMXitMA
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• Xx.com/DeftechMalaysia

Compliance5 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Subsidiaries3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Defence Technologies