if this is another 10 year R&D to invent an all new gun the rest...

if this is another 10 year R&D to invent an all new gun the rest of the world isn't working on yet; that's disappointing

however, maybe their is something going on with Colt/Thales/MST?? I'm not really expecting some big announcement. But, the M4 could be licensed to Thales to build in Aus. Colt builds Maul and 3GL. Thales builds NATO standard rails.

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SME Ordnance Sdn Bhd (SMEO), which began local production of the Steyr in 1991, had on November 19, 2007 undertaken the deal with American firm Colt Defence LLC to initially acquire 14,000 carbines, which were all delivered by June 2008.

The company followed it up with a second contract with the same firm for the supply of 116,000 carbines over a seven-year period.

"Through the deal, SMEO is set to obtain the licensing rights to manufacture additional Colt carbines locally, through a technology transfer programme once the US government gives its approval," Zahid was quoted by the New Straits Times as saying. The deal is worth $ 231 million (700 million Ringgit).

He added that Malaysia would also be given the rights to market the locally produced carbines to Thailand, Brunei, the Philippines, Indonesia and other countries using them.

"This will enable SMEO to become a centre of excellence for the manufacture of small-bore firearms in Asia," he said.

http://articles.economictimes.indiatimes.com/2011-03-29/news/29357839_1_defence-industry-carbines-inks

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http://job-search.jobstreet.com.my/malaysia/search/colt-engineering-sdn-bhd-jobs/