DSA 2022: Weststar IAG Guardian 4x4 armored vehicles used by Malaysian peacekeeping units in Lebanon.

The Guardian 4x4 armored personnel carrier marketed by the Malaysian company Weststar and manufactured by the UAE-based company IAG (International Armored Group) is in service with UN peacekeeping units of the Malaysian army deployed in Lebanon in the framework of the UNIFIL (United Nations Interim Force In Lebanon).

The Guardian 4x4 armored vehicles have replaced the old Condor of Malaysian peacekeeping units deployed in Lebanon. (Picture source IAG)

The Guardian has been acquired by the Malaysian army to replace the old Condor, 4×4 wheeled armored personnel carrier originally designed by Thyssen-Henschel of Germany and manufactured by Henschel Wehrtechnik GmbH. With the Guradian, the Malaysian peacekeeping units have now a vehicle offering more protection against the firing of small arms and mine blasts of IEDs (Improvised Explosive Devices).

The IAG Guardian is an armored personnel carrier that provides a high level of ballistic and blast resistance, extreme survivability, off-road capability, and commercial compatibility ensuring low maintenance costs. The Guardian features full vehicle armoring with certified ballistic material designed to resist incoming ballistic threats from any angle. The floor is specially designed to offer protection against IEDs and landmines.

The IAG Guardian is built on heavy-duty Commercial-Off-The-Shelf chassis, powered by a powerful turbocharged Diesel engine and 4x4 drive system. The vehicle has a payload from 6,600 to 8,000 depending on the armor configuration. It can reach a maximum road speed of 120 km with a maximum cruising range of 800 km.

The roof of the Guardian is fitted with a one-man open-top turret armed with one 7.62mm machine. The design of the vehicle is standard with the engine at the front, crew in the middle and troop's compartment at the rear. The vehicle can be delivered in two configurations with a 2 crew including a driver and commander, and seats for 8 or 12 soldiers.