National Day: 50 Armed Forces, security forces assets to be involved in air show

KUALA LUMPUR: About 50 air assets of the Armed Forces and security forces will be involved in the air show in conjunction with the 2023 National Day celebration at Dataran Putrajaya on Thursday (Aug 31).

The show which would be led by the air force would involve assets of various categories including Sukhoi Su-30MKM fighter jets; F/A-18D Hornet and BAE Hawk; A400M transport aircraft; and C130 Hercules as well as helicopters from the army and navy.

In addition, there would also be aerial assets from the police, the Fire and Rescue Department and the Malaysian Maritime Enforcement Agency.

The event that was expected to steal the spotlight at the air show was the combined segment of the helicopter formation that would involve 25 helicopters that would serve some amazing and thrilling stunts to the spectators.

The segment would display the capabilities and readiness of the country’s security forces as a result of a combination of special skills and expertise for visitors to the 2023 National Day celebration.

Meanwhile, the army’s Western Field Command Headquarters informed that as many as 178 army assets, including the VAMTAC S3 Weapons Carrier Vehicle (KPS); 105mm LG MK III artillery cannon; 8×8 Gempita AFV 30mm Armoured Personnel Carrrier; ACV 300 Adnan IFV 12.7mm tank; and the PT 91 Pendekar tank will be involved in the 2023 National Day parade.

Among the assets in the parade that were expected to draw attention were the ASTROS II Multiple Launch Rocket System (SRLB); Field Hospital; Pontoon Tactical Bridge Vehicle – Standard Module; and Tactical Mobility Support System (TMSS) vehicles.

For navy, it will display two navy Missile Trailers and a Rigid Hull Inflatable Boat (RHIB) while the air force would display three RMAF Missile Trailers.

The army contingent was the largest contingent in the 2023 National Day parade and among those involved were the combined contingent of army specialised forces; 10 PARA Brigade team; army reserve team; and a Malbatt team.

Themed “Malaysia Madani: Tekad Perpaduan, Penuhi Harapan” (Determination in Unity, Fulfilling Hope), 10 contingent components will participate in the parade on Aug 31, which were Nationhoody; Madani Malaysian Unity; Economy; Banking; Telecommunications; Creative Industries; Community; National Sports; Weln-being and National Security. – BK