View source for Engineering:Weststar GK-M1

{{Short description|Malaysian light armored car}}
{{Infobox weapon
| name               = Weststar GK-M1
| image              = File:Weststar GK-M1 4x4 vehicle.jpg
| caption            = The side view of the Weststar GK-M1 4x4 vehicle
| origin             = Malaysia
| type               = [[Engineering:Military light utility vehicle|Military light utility vehicle]] / Light tactical vehicle
<!-- Type selection -->
| is_ranged          =
| is_bladed          =
| is_explosive       =
| is_artillery       =
| is_vehicle         = yes
| is_missile         =
| is_UK              =
<!-- Service history -->
| service            =
| used_by            = 
| wars               =
<!-- Production history -->
| designer           =
| design_date        =  2012<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/special-operations/dsa-2018-testing-times-ahead-malaysian-sof-vehicle/|title=DSA 2018: Testing times ahead for Malaysian SOF vehicles - Special Operations - Shephard Media|website=www.shephardmedia.com}}</ref>
| manufacturer       = [[Company:Weststar Defence Industries|Weststar Defence Industries]]
| production_date    = 2015–present
| number             = 
<!-- General specifications -->
| spec_label         =
| weight             = 4 tonnes
| length             = 5.7 meters
| part_length        =
| width              = 1.8 meters
| height             = 2 meters
| diameter           =
| crew               = 
<!-- Vehicle/missile specifications -->
| armour             =
| primary_armament   =  See variants
| secondary_armament = 
| engine             =  
| engine_power       = 
| pw_ratio           =
| transmission       = 
| payload_capacity   =
| suspension         = 4×4 
| clearance          =
| fuel_capacity      =
| vehicle_range      =
| speed              = 110&nbsp;km/h
| guidance           =
| steering           =
}}

''' Weststar GK-M1''' is a Malaysian military light utility vehicle or light tactical vehicle designed and manufactured by [[Company:Weststar Defence Industries|Weststar Defence Industries]].

==History==

Weststar delivered an unknown quantity of the GK-M1 in 2015.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.malaysiandefence.com/weststar-gk-m1-weapon-platform/|title=Weststar GK-M1 Weapon Platform - Malaysian Defence|last=Abas|first=Marhalim|language=en-US|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref> On April 20, 2016, Weststar received another contract from the Malaysian Armed Forces to equip them with 44 Weststar GK-M1 Rapid Rover vehicles.<ref name="DSAGK">{{cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/dsa-2016-gk-m1-trials-continue/|title=DSA 2016: GK-M1 trials continue - LWI - Land Warfare - Shephard Media|website=www.shephardmedia.com}}</ref> An additional 44 were also to be ordered.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/dsa-2016-gk-m1-trials-continue/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170614135544/https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/landwarfareintl/dsa-2016-gk-m1-trials-continue/|url-status=dead|archive-date=14 June 2017|title=DSA 2016: GK-M1 trials continue - Shephard Media - Aerospace, defence and security news and analysis|date=14 June 2017}}</ref>

During the Defence & Security Exhibition 2015 convention, Thales announced that it had signed a contract to supply the Malaysian Armed Forces with ForceSHIELD anti-air defense system which is consist of Starstreak missiles, Control Master 200 radar and weapon control system. This system will be install on Weststar GK-M1.<ref name="ThalesPR">{{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|website=www.thalesgroup.com}}</ref><ref name="DSAGK"/>

==Design==
The GK-M1 is outfitted with a [[Company:Toyota|Toyota]] engine.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.malaysiandefence.com/weststar-gk-m1-weapon-platform/|title=Weststar GK-M1 Weapon Platform - Malaysian Defence|first=Marhalim Abas|last=says}}</ref>

==Variants==
[[File:59th Merdeka Day, Picture 8.jpg|thumb|Weststar GK-M1 light tactical vehicle armed with M134D-H minigun]]
===Fitted For Radio===
Command and communication vehicle to accommodate communications equipment.

===Ambulance===
Ambulance vehicle with accommodation of stretchers in the rear compartment.

===Special Operation Vehicle===
An off-road vehicle for special forces units made with COTS parts, unveiled in Defence Service Asia 2016.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.armyrecognition.com/dsa_2016_official_online_show_daily_news/new_weststar_4x4_defence_special_operations_vehicle_sov_at_dsa_2016_11904165.html|title=New Weststar 4x4 Defence Special Operations Vehicle SOV at DSA 2016 11904165|website=www.armyrecognition.com|access-date=2018-12-15}}</ref> Offered to the Grup Gerak Khas under the light strike vehicle procurement program.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://asianmilitaryreview.com/2020/01/asian-sof-looks-for-protected-mobility/|title=Asian SOF looks for Protected Mobility|date=January 21, 2020}}</ref>

===Weapon Carrier===
A variant equipped with weapons on top of the vehicle. Weapons mounted includes the [[Engineering:M134 Minigun|M134D-H minigun]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.monch.com/mpg/news/land/3220-dsadillonaero.html|title=DSA 2018: Dillon Aero's Prospects in Asia Pacific|website=www.monch.com}}</reF>

===Air Defence===
Air defence variant equipped with Starstreak surface-to-air missiles.<ref name="ThalesPR"/> They're installed through a Lightweight Multiple Launcher (LML).<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://airsoc.com/articles/view/id/5bdc199c3d2d2e1a538b4574/malaysia-tests-starstreak-missiles|title=MALAYSIA TESTS STARSTREAK MISSILES &#124; Article - Fri 02 Nov 2018 08:41:00 AM UTC &#124; airsoc.com. on airsoc.com|website=Airsoc.com}}</ref>

==Operators==

<!--READ FIRST: This section is for cited entries only. Please do not add entries into this list without a citation from a reliable source. All entries without a citation will be removed. Thank you.-->

* {{flag|Malaysia}}: 100+ GK-M1s reported in service with the Malaysian Army as of 2020.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.mod.gov.my/en/ | title=Home - Ministry of Defense Malaysia }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.carlist.my/news/our-five-favourite-vehicles-of-the-malaysian-army-77705/77705/|title=Our Five Favourite Vehicles Of The Malaysian Army - Insights - Carlist.my|website=Carlist.my - Malaysia's No.1 Car Site}}</ref>

==See also==
* [[Engineering:Cendana Auto Rover|Cendana Auto Rover]]

==References==
{{reflist}}

[[Category:Military light utility vehicles]]
[[Category:Off-road vehicles]]

{{Sourceattribution|Weststar GK-M1}}