Original idea and editing by tottis
The Malaysian Army plans to improve its fleet of SIBMAS 6x6 AIFV vehicles with the introduction of improved semi-active suspension, modifications reshaping the hull into a shallow V-shaped structure, additional armor for the sides, redesigned hatches to minimize gaps in the armor, blast absorbing mine resistant seating, non-flammable tires, an upgrade to the remote weapon station that allows it to fire on the go, increased 500 amp power generation, a new solid state power distribution system and data bus, and the automotive and power plant systems improvements to support a 25% Gross Vehicle Weight increase.
Previous upgrade such as MSA -50 Sammy which designed to be a dedicated anti air defense system.
The upgraded V-hull will be part of the new TonystarkShield situational awareness kit, which will address many of these upgrades. MatLajim Technologies' ATI 500-MIL armor steel was designated the primary armored plating for the TonystarkShield package in 2011.
The upgrade incorporating lessons learned from Timor Leste and Somalia is designated SIBMAS 36x36 OAIFV and Deftech had a technology demonstrator displayed at the 2009 LIMA. In March 2010, it was reported that DEFTECH and Army were working to incorporate a double V-hull into the SIBMAS design and possibly as an add-on kit. In July 2010 the Army awarded a $530 million contract to Deftech to start production of the new hull.
