Singapore’s military capabilities in Southeast Asia often go unnoticed, but the country possesses a formidable armoured force. With an impressive array of battle tanks, Singapore demonstrates its unwavering commitment to defence. This article sheds light on the Singapore’s top 5 tanks: the agile AMX-13 SM1, the versatile Bionix, the cutting-edge Hunter, the sturdy Bronco ATTC, and the upgraded M113A2 Ultra IFV. Each of these tanks has played a pivotal role in shaping Singapore’s military landscape, providing a captivating glimpse into the evolution of armoured warfare in the city-state.
Singapore’s Top 5 Tanks
The AMX-13 SM1, a light tank originally designed and manufactured by France, was the first tank utilized by the Singapore Armed Forces. In 1969, four years after Singapore’s independence, the tank was procured from Israel to bolster the military. The AMX-13 tank was upgraded to the AMX-13 SM1 tank in 1988 to enhance its efficiency and cost-effectiveness. It remained in service until 2008 when it was replaced by the Leopard 2SG from Germany. The AMX-13 SM1 retains the 75 mm main armament and 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun of the original AMX-13, but an additional 7.62 mm machine gun is pintle mounted on the forward part of the turret, which can be operated by the commander or gunner. A bank of two electrically operated grenade launchers is mounted on either side of the turret, firing forwards. In the late 1980s, the engine and power pack were replaced, prolonging the service life. The suspension system was also reworked, providing the tank with a much higher ground clearance. The upper glacis of the AMX-13 SM1 is made of 6–8 mm armour. The main armament is a 75 mm rifled gun, and the secondary armament is a 1× 7.62 mm coaxial machine gun. The tank is powered by a Renault MIDS 06.20.45 6 cylinder water-cooler turbocharged diesel engine, and has a range of 400 km (250 mi). The maximum road speed is 60 km/h (37 mph).
The Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle (IFV), which is manufactured by Singapore Technologies Automotives, is an armoured vehicle produced locally in Singapore. It was commissioned in 1997 and is constructed using a modular system, allowing for different weapon stations and configurations. Since 1999, the Bionix IFV has been in active service with the Singapore Armed Forces, with various adaptations such as the Bionix II, Bionix 25, and Bionix 40/50 variants. The most recent variant, the Bionix II, was introduced in 2006. It is equipped with a network-enabled digital battle management system, a new ATK mk44 Bushmaster 30mm dual-feed cannon, and a modular armour package. Additionally, it features an improved day/night thermal sighting system with a dual-axis stabilization system to enhance target tracking.
The Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV), manufactured by Singapore Technologies Automotives, is an armoured vehicle produced in Singapore. It was introduced in 1997 as a replacement for the Ultra M113 armoured personnel carriers. This groundbreaking AFV is the world’s first fully digitalized platform, providing armoured forces with advanced capabilities. Its modular system allows for different weapon stations and configurations. The latest variant, the Bionix II, was introduced in 2006. It is equipped with a network-enabled digital battle management system, a new ATK mk44 Bushmaster 30mm dual-feed cannon, and a modular armour package. Additionally, it features an improved day/night thermal sighting system with a dual-axis stabilization system for precise target tracking. Initially known as the ST Kinetics Next Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV), development began in 2006, and it was commissioned for the Singapore Army in 2019. By March 2022, the first armour battle group operating this platform achieved operational readiness. In September 2022, the Singapore Army successfully conducted the inaugural overseas live-firing for the Hunter AFV in Oberlausitz, Germany. The Hunter AFV remains a vital component of Singapore’s defence strategy.
The Bronco ATTC is a tracked vehicle jointly developed by ST Kinetics and DSTA for the Singapore Army. Its design allows it to easily traverse difficult terrain with heavy-duty rubber tracks and a running gear system for improved performance. It has a load capacity of 5 tonnes and can reach speeds of up to 60 km/h on the road and 25 km/h on cross-country terrain. The Warthog variant was used by the British Armed Forces in Afghanistan and ST Kinetics was awarded a £150 million contract for over 100 vehicles. The contract produced four Warthog variants for troop carrying, ambulance, command, and repair & recovery.
The Singapore Army acquired the M113A2 Ultra IFV in 1993 as an upgrade to the M113A1 armoured personnel carrier. This enhanced version offers improvements in firepower, protection, mobility, and ergonomics. It is armed with a 25mm automatic cannon and two 7.62mm machine guns. Moreover, it is equipped with an advanced fire control system that includes a laser rangefinder and thermal imager, enabling precise firing during both day and night operations. Powered by a Detroit Diesel 6V-53T engine, the M113A2 Ultra IFV can achieve a top speed of 64km/h and has a maximum range of 480km. It has a crew capacity of three and can transport up to 11 infantrymen. However, the Singapore Armed Forces replaced the M113A2 Ultra IFV with the Next Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV) in 2019.