The 48th Battalion of the Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR)- the Army's first battalion of armoured troopers to operate the Leopard2A4 turned operational less than a year after the first tanks were delivered to the Republic. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM
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.
PART OF A GREATER WHOLE
'Armour does not fight alone. It fights today as part of a system - adding the weight of its protected firepower and mobility to the overall combat power of the SAF, while drawing on the whole range of capabilities from the rest of the SAF to add to its combat power.'
DPM Teo Chee Hean on how the new tank unit, the fifth in the SAF Armour arsenal, will enhance Singapore's defence capabilities.
'The core of the vehicle is very much based on the heart of the crew.'
Brigadier-General Philip Lim, the Chief Armour Officer, noting that though the latest military technology does more while employing fewer resources, soldiers still make the difference.
Named 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 opposing forces, and allow 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.
In his speech at the parade on Friday - also held to mark the 40th anniversary of the Armour formation - DPM Teo commended the new unit for its achievements so far.
Please read the full story in Saturday's edition of The Straits Times.
