THE Singapore Armed Forces unveiled its newest unit on Friday, and its business end is a hulking, 55-tonne piece of armour topped with a 120mm gun - the Leopard tank.

Christened the 48th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR), the unit is just over a year old, and has more than 10 of the German-made tanks, with more to come in the years ahead to make a total of 102.

It will be commanded by Lieutenant-Colonel Ng Chia Yong, 33.

It is the fifth unit in the SAF's Armour arsenal, and joins others which operate vehicles like the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carriers.

Since 48 SAR first received its first Leopards a year ago, it has been put through its paces, undergoing manoeuvre training and live-fire exercises in Singapore, Australia and, most recently, in Bergen in Germany.

On Friday, the unit was declared operationally ready by Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean in a formal parade ceremony held at the Armour Centre in Sungei Gedong.

He affixed the unit's emblem - a prowling leopard - on one of the tanks on display.

The four-man tank has more firepower than the ageing SM-1 tanks it will replace: A full-stabilised 120mm cannon that combines punch and accuracy, two 7.62mm machine guns and 16 smoke launchers.

It will also be fitted with the latest technology - a battlefield management system which will show friendly and oppposing forces, and allows tank crews to exchange information with other SAF units in the fray.

The Leopard is powered by a turbo-charged diesel engine which allows it to reach speeds of about 70kmh. Its multi-layered armour plating also provides better protection against anti-tank weapons.

Read the full report in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.