source: Sg's mindef

And yes, the mystery silhouette refers to the Endurance 170 LHD from ST marine:

http://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/n...ce-170-lhd.html



Mai's note: The Endurance 170 LHD has a slightly heavier tonnage to South Korea's Dokdo LHD.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 3 2019, 12:05 AM

A snapshot of existing and new equipment in Sg's arsenal by 2030:




source: Sg's mindef

Not drawn to scale and missing some equipment. But you get the picture..

I am a bit surprised at the Fokker MPA and Hercs transports. I have a feeling they will be replaced.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 3 2019, 12:07 AM

Here is the definitive video of the Samson 30 RWS turret on Sg's new NGAFV:



This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 3 2019, 03:24 PM

Lockheed is trying to sell F16Vs or F20s(special indian version) to india in a deal worth billions.

The US needs to cozy up to India.

Found this interesting nugget of information.

Singapore has been researching anti-GPS tech and applying it...

https://www.todayonline.com/singapore/makin...af-capabilities

Israel introduces super sonic air to surface, anti-jam multi-mode seeker missile (validated on the F16I Sufa and soon on the F15I and F35I)

Rafael Advanced Defence Systems has unveiled a new, advanced stand-off high-speed air-to-surface missile (ASM) designed to engage high-value stationary and re-locatable targets in heavily GPS-denied environments.

Designated 'Rocks', the new missile is furnished with a single-stage solid rocket motor developed by Rafael, GPS/inertial navigation system (INS) guidance for midcourse navigation, and an electro-optical (EO)/imaging infrared (IR) seeker assembly for terminal homing.

For precision accuracy, the EO/IR assembly exploits the Rafael-developed Automatic Target Acquisition algorithm with scene-matching technology - as used in its Spice stand-off glide munition variants - to overcome GPS jamming, navigation, and target location errors in the threat environment. On approach to the target, Rocks' scene-matching algorithm compares the EO image received in real time via the weapon seeker with mission reference data stored in the weapon's computer memory.

The Rocks ASM can be equipped with two warhead types - penetration or blast explosive - to defeat above-ground or hardened below-surface targets. The weight class of the warhead has not been disclosed.

Rafael has described the development status of the missile as Technical Readiness Level (TRL) 8. "We have completed full-scale development and testing - including airborne and homing - but we have not yet completed the qualification of the missile. This will be the final part of the development process, which will be completed according to our customer requirements," Gideon Weiss, deputy general manager for business development, marketing, and strategy for Rafael's Air & C4ISR division, told Jane's . The identity of the intended launch customer(s), and anticipated qualification date for the Rocks missile, were not disclosed.


https://www.janes.com/article/86679/rafael-...surface-missile





By the way..I didn't know Israel changed the colour scheme of their F16I Sufa. All the while, it is like this:




compared to:



And no tail number too...tsk tsk...

P.S: Do you think a land launched "Rocks" could be developed? Or a naval one?Afterall, a supersonic air to surface missile of that size would probably have around >450-500km in range. The storm shadow non supersonic cruise missile which is about the same size has range of about 560km.

More info on the rocks:

https://en.globes.co.il/en/article-rafael-u...sile-1001273992

http://www.xinhuanet.com/english/2019-02/21/c_137837909.htm

This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 4 2019, 10:17 PM

Singapore’s next-generation AFV seen with missile-capable remote weapons station



A possible missile-armed variant of the Singapore Army's 29-tonne tracked Next-Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV), a troop carrying variant of the service's Next Generation Armoured Vehicle (NGAV) family of tracked vehicles, has been revealed in an official Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) image that appeared briefly on its website on 1 March.

The image depicts a NGAFV equipped with what appears to be the new Samson 30 heavy remote weapon station (RWS) developed by Israel's Rafael Advanced Defense Systems in place of the ST Engineering Land Systems Adder M30 RWS that is typically seen fitted to the vehicle.

The Samson 30 is understood to be a derivative of the Samson Mk II dual-axis gyro-stabilised, dual-sight RWS that incorporates several refinements to the original design, including a low-profile silhouette and recessed 76 mm smoke grenade launchers arranged in a 4×2 configuration on either side of the gun mantlet.

The Samson 30 RWS seen in the image is armed with the Orbital ATK 30 mm Mk44 Bushmaster II automatic cannon - which can engage medium-weight armoured vehicles at a range of 2,000 m and unarmoured targets to ranges of 4,000 m and also fitted to the army's tracked Bionix II infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) - as well as a co-axial 7.62 mm machine gun. According to Rafael, the RWS can carry up to 230 rounds of ammunition for the automatic cannon and 500 rounds for the co-axial machine gun.

The weapon can also be traversed 360° and elevated between -20° to 70°, a feature designed to improve operational flexibility in tight urban environments and enables the vehicle to engage threats taking cover in buildings.

A highlight of the RWS is the anti-tank guided missile (ATGM) launcher that can be installed on its left side, which is positioned horizontally and retracted under armour protection during travel and raised when preparing to fire its two ATGMs.

https://www.janes.com/article/86973/singapo...weapons-station

This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 7 2019, 10:10 PM

The message to China behind Singapore's US F-35 jet plan



Hong Kong (CNN)They are at the cutting-edge of America's elite stealth jet technology, capable of seamlessly connecting pilots for co-ordinated missions.

And now Singapore wants to become the fourth country to enmesh US F-35 warplanes above and around the South China Sea -- a move likely to be greeted with trepidation in Beijing.

In a speech before Parliament last week, Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen announced a plan to buy up to 12 F-35 warplanes from the US. If the deal goes through, Singapore will become the fourth American ally in the Pacific to own them.

The purchase would require US congressional approval, but Ng said that both the Trump administration and the Pentagon favored the deal.

"Next Gen Singapore Armed Forces will be more lethal in all domains," read a graphic shown to legislators during the defense minister's presentation. It showed dozens of pieces of military hardware Singapore plans to have in its arsenal by 2030 as it ramps up its defense capabilities.

The US stealth fighters are the crown jewel on the list. The Pentagon touts the F-35, with the world's most advanced avionics, engines and weaponry, as the "the most affordable, lethal, supportable and survivable aircraft ever to be used."



Regional stability

Singapore sits on the western approaches to the South China Sea. Analysts say the country's decision to acquire F-35 technology is indicative of growing concerns within Asia regarding China's regional ambitions.

"Singapore probably does not trust China's assurances that its South China Sea claims are benign, without military intentions and will not result in China taking control of air and sea commerce," said Carl Schuster, a former director of operations at the US Pacific Command's Joint Intelligence Center.

China has claimed almost the entire 1.3-million-square-mile South China Sea as its sovereign territory. It has aggressively asserted its stake in recent years in the face of conflicting claims from several Southeast Asian nations, building up and fortifying islands in the Spratly and Paracel chains.

The US has steadfastly contested those claims, sending warships on freedom of navigation operations near the islands and regularly flying reconnaissance -- and sometimes bomber -- flights over the South China Sea.

When it acquires the F-35s, Singapore will join US allies Australia, Japan and South Korea in operating the jets in the Pacific. The US also has F-35s based in Japan, and they can operate off US Navy ships moving through the region. Even the United Kingdom said earlier this year it would send an aircraft carrier with F-35s into the region in 2020.

US officials have previously dismissed the idea they are pursuing a cold war or containment policy in regards to China in the Pacific, but Singapore's decision to join the list of F-35 capable countries risks strengthening that divide between the US and China.

"Beijing should see in this development evidence that there remains strong demand in the Asia-Pacific region for a US presence," said Timothy Heath, senior defense analyst at the RAND Corp.

"The network of air forces that employ the F-35 expands the possibility that these militaries could work together in a coalition if necessary. This development can provide a robust deterrence message to China regarding its behavior in the South and East China seas," Heath said.

Coordination among allies

The F-35's advanced electronic warfare suite can allow seamless integration among allied users and that could be cause for concern in Beijing.

Peter Layton, defense analyst at the Griffith Asia Institute in Australia, says the F-35's stealth and electronic warfare capabilities make it a "force multiplier." F-35s are able to sneak past air defenses and send detailed targeting information to trailing planes carrying long-range missiles or to land-based anti-ship missile systems, he added.

"The acquisition may spur China to think about how it can improve its air defense network in the South China Sea and on ships to detect and target stealth aircraft such as Singapore's F-35," said Layton.

Previous F-35 purchases from US allies have prompted bravado from Chinese media.

A January report in the state-sponsored Global Times brushed away any threat from "the US F-35 friends circle" in the Asia-Pacific, with Chinese analysts saying the F-35 was no match for China's fifth-generation stealth jet, the J-20.

Yet even though the F-35 procurement sends strong signals to China, analysts agree that Singapore is sending them carefully.

Defense Minister Ng did not mention China when revealing purchase plans last week. His presentation to Parliament said only that the jets "will significantly contribute to the (air force's) ability to safeguard Singapore's sovereignty and security."

He also said the country was being deliberate in how it acquired them, buying four with its first order and then adding up to eight others if the first batch fit requirements.



'Low-key player'

The F-35s would eventually work in concert with Singapore's US-built F-15s when they replace the country's F-16s, which will be obsolete in a decade, the defense minister said.

While Singapore has been a close and longtime US ally -- it even hosts a US Navy facility -- it tends to be a low-key player in military matters.

"Despite good relations with the United States, Singapore generally remains reluctant to take a leadership role in challenging Chinese power due to its small size and depth of economic ties with China," Heath said.
Schuster added: "Singapore does not want to anger China... Singapore tends to act quietly and with nuance and subtlety."

However, the subtle approach should not be mistaken for military weakness.

Australia's Lowy Institute ranked Singapore's military power 10th among 25 Asian nations last year -- just behind Australia and ahead of larger countries like Vietnam, Indonesia and Malaysia.

Singapore boasts quality military hardware and strong defense relationships in the region.

"Singapore sees its role as a facilitator of regional security and stability, not as a member of any alliance directed at any particular nation," said Schuster.

https://edition.cnn.com/2019/03/06/asia/sin...intl/index.html

You will see such mounts when the threat level justifies it obviously. There is no need to buy the new Rafael turret otherwise.

Bronco 3 will probably replace the current Broncos before 2030.

Janes was talking about the picture per se. There is nt one in the picture obviously. The new Rafael's turret was developed largely for the installtion of Trophy with minimal effort. Merkavas do not carry trophy as well when not in conflict or in low intensity fights.

F35I destroyed Chinese radars in Syria




Unlike many other aircrafts, you are also buying an electronic attack jet when you buy a F35. The Israeli version and soon to be Singaporean version would probably have extra (as is the case) systems for added lethality".



This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 8 2019, 05:35 PM

Singapore's next infantry battalion will evolve...


Source: Sg Mindef 2019 budget debate

Probably the prototype as shown during the Sg airshow in 2017:





They will likely add camo, additional armour protection, shoulder padding, etc. before implementing across SAF

This will replace SAF's current Advance Man Combat System (ACMS)? ^This the ACMS lite - an evolution of the current ACMS?

Singapore's ACMS

https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef...-releases-02439







This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 8 2019, 08:40 PM

Yes. I guess that is why St and perhaps with DSTA and DSO made temp regulation a priority.

If you port over western advanced combat system, it may not cope with the hot and humid climate here. Case in point is my old Audi..went back to Subaru.

More info on Ariele system

Soldier of the Future
In our quest to optimise the capabilities of the future soldier, the ARIELE (Army Individual Eco-Lightweight Equipment) system addresses the challenges of warfighters in the modern battlefield with four key sub-systems.

Clothing & Protection Equipment
Superior weight reduction with advanced materials
Ergonomic design based on Human Factors Engineering Analysis
Market leading performance in thermal and evaporative Resistance

Power & Energy Management
Integrated system for wireless charging, power management and supply
Highest density fuel cell system for longest endurance
Market leading efficiency for all-orientation wireless charging
Complete power and data management system for intuitive interface with soldier devices

Sensors & Individual Equipment
Seamless interface to Power & Energy Management System
Multiple integrated sensors for situational awareness
World's lightest and most compact Augmented Reality C2 system for the battlefield
Most advanced lightweight personal cooling system

Medtech & Human Augmentation
Breakthrough solution for real-time condition monitoring and alert system
Integrated data analytics for training improvement and mission profiling
Lightweight and passive exoskeleton system for load reduction and performance enhancement -> only a few countries are researching this China, USA, Singapore, Germany, etc.



Add the above to the fact that the average Singaporean male is the largest/tallest, and most intelligent (highest/2nd highest IQ in the world) in South East Asia, this is a huge force multiplier.

This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 9 2019, 11:57 AM

I have seen Singapore exo-skeleton in person but here is one example from the US:

Haha yeah.. or carry and throw the enemy soldier across the room.

I was looking for the back of the exo-skeleton and managed to find:



This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 9 2019, 12:47 PM

IDEX 2018: Singapore’s ST Engineering launches SRAMS 120 mm Mk II

Singapore's ST Engineering Land Systems has completed the development and testing of new version of its 120 mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (SRAMS), called the Mk II, and new ammunition for it.

The latest ST Engineering 120 mm Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (SRAMS) Mk II features an all-electric elevation and traverse system. (Christopher F Foss)

The original 120 mm SRAMS featured hydraulic elevation and traverse, but the latest SRAMS Mk II has all-electric elevation and traverse with the latter increased to 180 o left and right, according to James Soon of ST Engineering Land Systems. This is laid onto the target using a computerised fire control system (FCS) by the operator, via a flat panel display and associated controls. It can fire 10 rounds a minute.

The latest suite of ST Engineering 120 mm ammunition includes the PM120 precision guided mortar bomb (PG MB), Extended Range High Explosive (ER HE), ER Infra-Red Red Phosphorous (IR RP) and ER Illuminating. These are all designed for use with smoothbore mortar systems.

The 120 mm PM120 is GPS guided and the company quoted a maximum range of up to 8.5 km and a circular error probable (CEP) of 10 m. The HE warhead contains 2.8 kg of TNT. ER HE also contains 2.8 kg of TNT but this can be insensitive munition (IM) compliant if requested by the customer and is fitted with a DM111A4/A5 nose mounted fuze. Maximum muzzle velocity was being quoted as 408 m/s and maximum range of up to 9 km.

The ER RP contains three smoke canisters and is fitted with a MTSQ DM93 fuze, with a maximum muzzle velocity of 408 m/s and a maximum range of up to 9 km, ST Engineering said. The ER illuminating round has the same fuze, muzzle velocity, and range as the ER RP and has an illuminating intensity of 1.25 million cd. There is also the option of IR Illuminating.


https://www.janes.com/article/86754/idex-20...ms-120-mm-mk-ii


Mai's note:

1)This will probably be installed on the new Bronco 3 which will replace the old Broncos.
2) Singapore bought the XM395 Accelerated Precision Mortar Initiative (APMI) rounds from the US recently for precision fires.



3) The ER version mortar round probably has a range of 12km to 16km. Like the one below:



4) The SRAMS allows for rapid firing of mortar rounds so it can literally rain precision guided mortars on everything from IFV, light/medium tanks, soldiers, artillery, etc.

------------------------------------------------------------

This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 10 2019, 11:51 AM

^ Singapore's answer to the Swedish Archer

The Advanced Mobile Gun System (AGMS) by ST Kinetics





AGMS details:

The system feature a modular turret armed with a 155mm/52 caliber gun, laying system, automated modular charge loading system and projectile loading system.

The turret is installed on an 8×8 high-mobility truck with armoured cabin and storage space for 22 rounds. The gun is capable of simultaneous impact of a volley of rounds fired from a single barrel.

The AMGS artillery system offers a gross vehicle weight of 28t, length of 12.3m, width of 3m, height of 3.8m and maximum cross-country speed of 30km/h. the gun has maximum rate of fire of 6 rounds per minute, elevation of -3º to + 70º, and range of 40km with ERBB ammunition (Mai's note: 50km with Excalibur). The gun system can be remotely operated from the armored cabin. To increase accuracy, the weapon system is proposed with fire control system with integrated navigation unit.

https://defence-blog.com/army/singapore-dev...gun-system.html

--------------------------------------



Archer details:

Automation ensures that the crew can fire the gun within 20 seconds of arriving in position, and without leaving the cabin. The magazine holds 21 shells, which can all be fired in an intensive 3.5 minute volley that includes multiple simultaneous impact targeting for groupings of up to 6 shells. Continuous fire is only 54 rounds in 35 minutes, and is regulated by barrel temperatures and reloading speed. The system can hit targets with great accuracy at ranges up to 50 km/ 31 miles, using rocket-boosted Excalibur GPS-guided shells. Conventional 155mm fire can reach to 40 km/ 24.85 miles, and Bofors and Nexter’s BONUS anti-tank shells can reach to 35 km/ 21.75 miles.

https://www.defenseindustrydaily.com/sweden...-project-05142/

^ It was reported that Sg's new AGMS will have a longer range. I think this refers to the lorry chassis that it is on. The AGMS will replace SAF's 155m/52 cal FH2000 howitzer.

But it is also true that the new AGMS which is digitized and fully integrated with SAF's battle management system can shoot extra range rounds. One such round is the Vulcano round for 155m guns with range of up to 100km.







This post has been edited by Mai189: Mar 15 2019, 08:04 PM