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MSK-008 Dijeh

Prototype assault mobile suit developed by Karaba.
Jenxi Seow Published 6 Jan 2019 Updated 13 Feb 2025
MSK-008 Dijeh

The MSK-008 Dijeh was a prototype assault mobile suit developed by Karaba based on the RMS-099 Rick Dias. The “MSK” in the model code indicated it was a mobile suit developed by Karaba, while “008” denoted it was their eighth mobile weapon design.

The “MS” in the type code stood for mobile suit and “A” meant it was an Karaba design. The “008” code number meant it was the eighth design.

History

The success of the RMS-099 Rick Dias developed by Anaheim Electronics for the Anti-Earth Union Group inspired Karaba to create their own ground assault mobile suit. Many engineers who worked on both the Rick Dias and Dijeh were former Principality of Zeon mobile suit developers, which explained the Zeon-style design elements in both mobile suits.

The Dijeh was assigned to Karaba ace pilot Amuro Ray, who participated in its final development stage and suggested adding the weapons rack on the left shoulder. The mobile suit’s combat data was later used to develop the MSA-099-2 Rick Dias II.

Londo Bell later developed a space-use version, the MSK-008R Rick Dijeh, for Amuro. Neo Zeon created a variant, the MSK-008 Dijeh (Char Aznable Custom), for their leader Char Aznable.

In UC 0097, civilian organisation Luio & Co. used several dark gray Dijeh units equipped with modified beam rifles to contact Martha Vist Carbine.

Design

Karaba developed the MSK-008 Dijeh based on the RMS-099 Rick Dias. The team incorporated many Zeon-style features due to the involvement of former Principality of Zeon mobile suit engineers. Karaba used avionics from the MSA-003 Nemo in the Dijeh.

The mobile suit was built with Gundarium alloy alloy. Three rocket thrusters and two jet thrusters with a combined output of 89,800 kg provided main propulsion. Six sets of vernier thrusters and apogee motors enabled fine adjustments.

To adapt for ground operations, the cooling system was improved and lightened. Large radiator fins on its back improved its atmospheric flight capabilities. The jet thrusters allowed it to hover on the ground.

Like the Rick Dias, the Dijeh had a standard panoramic cockpit with linear seat in its head. A blade antenna on its head and radar receivers on its radiator fins enhanced its communication capabilities and range.

Armaments

The MSK-008 Dijeh’s standard weapons were a beam naginata for melee combat and a beam rifle for ranged attacks. It could optionally equip a clay bazooka instead of the beam rifle.

60 mm vulcan guns

A pair of fire-linked 60 mm gatling vulcan guns were mounted on either sides of the Dijeh’s head. Ammunition was stored in the back and fed via two exposed tubes.

Each vulcan gun was loaded with 400 rounds of ammunition and fired at a rate of 1,600 rounds per minute. It was used primarily against light-armored support units. Sustained fire from the guns could damage mobile suits and were often used in close distance combat.

Beam naginata

The Dijeh used a beam naginata for close combat, similar to the one used by the MS-14A Gelgoog. The long handle had beam emitters at both ends that could generate two naginata-shaped beam blades simultaneously. Alternatively, it could generate a single thicker beam blade.

The beam naginata used an I-field to contain Minovsky particles within the shape of a blade. Minovsky particles were channelled into the naginata through an energy capacitor (E-cap) attached to its handle. The E-cap recharged with Minvosky particles from the Dijeh’s reactor when stored in the recharge rack in the rear waist armor.

Beam rifle

The BR-M-87 beam rifle was the Dijeh’s primary weapon. It was the same model used by MSN-00100 Hyaku-Shiki with a power output rating of 2.8 megawatts.

The beam rifle drew its rounds from energy capacitors (E-caps), clips of charged Minovsky particles. Minovksy particles broke down matter at a molecular level, allowing the beam rifle bolts to penetrate even the thickest armor. This meant that a single shot could destroy a mobile suit.

It had a retractable hook to store it on the Dijeh’s backpack when not in use.

Clay bazooka

The Dijeh could optionally equip the AE/ZIM.C-BAZ-531 300 mm clay bazooka used by the RMS-099 Rick Dias and MSN-00100 Hyaku-Shiki. It carried one round in the chamber and seven rounds per clip.

The clay bazooka was originally designed to fire adhesive rounds to immobilise enemies instead of destroying them. It could also fire conventional explosive rounds or pellet shots.

It had a retractable hook to store it on the Dijeh’s backpack when not in use.

Shield

The Dijeh had a shield mounted on its right shoulder for increased protection. The fixed shield had limited defensive angles compared to a hand-held one.

Hyper mega launcher

The mobile suit could optionally equip the same hyper mega launcher used by the MSZ-006 Zeta Gundam. The hyper mega launcher was a large mega particle cannon with firepower exceeding that of a warship’s guns. It drew power from a built-in thermonuclear reactor.

The launcher could be stored on the weapon rack when not in use.

Known pilots

Variants

Behind the scenes

Fujita Kazumi was the original mechanical designer for the Zeta Gundam version. Katoki Hajime designed the version seen in Mobile Suit Gundam Narrative.

Gunpla

Bandai has released several Gunpla kits of the Dijeh:

  • 1/144 Original MSK-008 Dijeh (1986)
  • 1/144 HGUC MSK-008 Dijeh (2018)
  • 1/144 HGUC MSK-008 Dijeh Narrative Ver. (2019) - P-Bandai exclusive
  • 1/144 HGUC MSK-008 Dijeh Clear Color (2020) - Events and The Gundam Base Tokyo exclusive
  • 1/100 RE/100 MSK-008 Dijeh (2015)

Appearances