Update – LIMA 2025: Malaysia rebrands light tactical vehicle as ‘Ribat'

Mildef's Ribat light tactical vehicle is displayed at LIMA 2025. (Janes/Akhil Kadidal)

The Malaysian company Mildef International Technologies (Mildef) has officially renamed its High Mobility Light Tactical Vehicle (HMLTV) as the ‘Ribat' during the Langkawi International Maritime and Aerospace (LIMA) Exhibition 2025 in Malaysia.

Khairul Hazwan bin Mohd Rasit, head of engineering at Mildef, told Janes during LIMA 2025 that the renaming of the HMLTV is a milestone event, indicating that the vehicle has matured as an operational platform. LIMA 2025 is being held from 20 to 24 May on the island of Langkawi.

According to Khairul, Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim launched the ‘Ribat' at the exhibition on 20 May.

Based on the company's earlier Tarantula 4×4 armoured vehicle, the Ribat was designed from the outset to be smaller in size, according to Khairul. “The intention was to develop a vehicle that is not only lighter than the Tarantula but one that could fit in a container vessel for rapid transport to anywhere in the world,” he said, adding that the company was promoting the Ribat as a vehicle for the United Nations (UN).

Features

According to Mildef specifications, the Ribat has a combat weight of 7,500 kg (6,700 kg unladen) and is powered by a four-cylinder diesel turbo engine generating 250 hp at 2,500 rpm with a power-to-weight ratio of 33 hp/ton.

The vehicle, which measures 5,200×2,200×2,200 mm, can accommodate four personnel in addition to two crew members. In comparison, the larger Tarantula measures 5,700×2,500×2,500 mm and can accommodate nine people in total (including three crew members), according to Mildef.