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SINGAPORE: The Singapore Armed Forces has a new vehicle that will give its army advantage in urban warfare.
The vehicle, known as the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV), allows land and air troops to communicate effectively in a battlefield.
It is equipped with the Battlefield Management System, linking it to SAF's air and land troops with similar system.
For example, it is able to provide air and land surveillance - such as the location of enemy targets - through an all-round camera equipment and navigation system.
This enables precise information to be shared with other SAF forces nearby that will help them coordinate and mount attacks on targets accurately from air and on land.
Lieutenant-Colonel Oh Beng Soon, Senior Project Officer at HQ 9 Division Infantry in the SAF, said the system allows data and pictures to be exchanged.
"You have the map, as well as the satellite map. You can see both your own forces and any enemy forces that is being marked, that gives you total situational awareness," he said.
Another benefit is the vehicle can bring ground troops very close to the battleground.
First Warrant Officer Kalai Selvan, Trainer at Motorisation Training Centre, Infantry Training Institute, said: "Previously, when you are walking as foot soldiers, you take about 4 kilometres per hour.
"Now with this, you can reach the enemy location very fast. You can bring them very close because this vehicle can travel 70-80 kilometres per hour so you can reach the location fast, and bring them very close to the enemy objective and discharge them, to engage the enemy."
The vehicle can seat 11 infantry troopers, a driver and one vehicle commander. They can travel in comfort as it comes with an air cooling system. But to ensure the safety of all those inside, there is a good suspension system to ensure a smooth ride, even on rugged and bumpy terrain.
Besides having enhanced firepower, it also has a weapon detection system which can locate enemy fire, and it is built to withstand mine blasts.
The vehicle's all-round camera surveillance - which is also a unique feature - allows the driver to drive with the hatch closed, enabling him to move and navigate the vehicle accurately even under fire.
The SAF will begin training its infantry and guards battalions on the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle from February next year.
It plans to acquire at least 150 of the Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles. - CNA/de
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