Singapore plans MLRS, IFV purchase, Blurb off Newsnow

Got this off Newsnow..

"Singapore plans multiple rocket launcher, IFV acquisitions
Jane's Defence Weekly 11:12 "

http://newsnow.co.uk/cgi/NGoto/221503341?

(ADDED)
Singapore plans multiple rocket launcher, IFV acquisitions
Robert Karniol JDW Asia-Pacific Bureau Chief
Bangkok

Key Points
Singapore is seeking to acquire its first multiple rocket system and first wheeled IFV


The Singapore Army is enhancing its firepower and mobility capabilities with the planned acquisition of its first multiple rocket launcher (MRL) and its first wheeled infantry fighting vehicle (IFV).

The MRL requirement is for 18 systems, with the request for proposals currently in progress. First deliveries are expected in about 18 months.

Contenders for the contract remain unclear, but sources told Jane's that talks on the programme are under way with the US. This suggests that potential candidates include the 227 mm Multiple Launch Rocket System and the High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System, both from Lockheed Martin Missiles and Fire Control.

The IFV programme is aimed to equip three battalions, with initial deliveries expected around the end of 2008. The locally developed Singapore Technologies (ST) Kinetics 8 x 8 Terrex AV81 IFV is among several platforms under consideration; other options remain unknown.

The army most recently upgraded its artillery with the introduction of ST Kinetics' Pegasus 155 mm/39 calibre Singapore Lightweight Howitzer, unveiled in late 2005. This supplemented the ST Kinetics Primus 155 mm/39 calibre self-propelled artillery system that was revealed two years earlier.

The wheeled IFV would complement two tracked platforms in current service: the ST Kinetics Bionix IFV, operationally deployed since 1999; and the older Giat Industries AMX-10P infantry combat vehicle.

The Singapore Army will further bolster its capabilities with deliveries, due to start in mid-2008, of 66 ex-German Armed Forces Krauss-Maffei Wegmann Leopard 2A4 main battle tanks, together with an additional 30 platforms earmarked as spares. These are intended to replace AMX-13 light tanks.

The planned acquisitions are linked to a broader force modernisation programme currently in progress and dubbed the third-generation Singapore Armed Forces.


This post has been edited by Orcishwarrior on Aug 8 2007, 09:17 PM

This is an interesting development isn't it?

umm... 18 MRL systems and wheeled IFV... enhancing first-strike capability with improved mobility of troops?

Hey thanks YF!

I think wheel IFV may be possible. A while ago, while travelling to boon lay MRT station, I notice a bunch of ST personnels operating and testing this TERREX on the ST test driving center. I also seen them test some ATV there too...........

I believe I saw some of the TV screens they might put into the Terrex as well. High-tech vehicle I must say.

Oh btw... HOLY SHIT! HIMARS!

So what's a HIMARS?

I compiled some information from the web below..



The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) is the newest member of the Multiple Launch Rocket System family. It is a highly mobile artillery rocket system that offers MLRS firepower on a wheeled vehicle, making it an ideal system for the medium-weight brigades under the new Army Vision. The HIMARS launcher, a wheeled vehicle, is lighter in weight compared to the MLRS M-270 launcher. It weighs approximately 15 tons, compared to 27 tons for the M-270.

The HIMARS TD will provide a lightweight, C–130 transportable version of the M–270 multiple launch rocket system (MLRS) launcher.

Mounted on a 5–ton family of medium tactical vehicles (FMTV) truck chassis, it will fire any rocket or missile in the MLRS family of munitions [MFOM]. The HIMARS launchers will some commonality with its older and heavier tracked cousins, the M270 and M270A1 launcher systems. The HIMARS design concept will include the familiar launcher module, fire control, and digital command and control systems, and a self-reload capability.

The HIMARS uses the same command, control, and communications, as well as the same crew, as the MLRS launcher but carries only one rocket or missile pod. It will roll on and off a C–130 transport aircraft and, when carried with a combat load, will be ready to operate within 15 minutes of landing. The HIMARS will fire either six MLRS rockets or one Army Tactical Missile. Because of the lighter weight of using one pod rather than two, it will have a faster time, compared to the current M270, from the point the fire mission is received to the actual munition firing.

HIMARS is based on the need for a lighter weight, more deployable MLRS that can be sent anywhere in the world to provide the maneuver commander lethal, long range fires at the very beginning of a conflict. HIMARS is being designed and produced by the Army to support its Early Entry Contingency forces and its Light/Airborne/Air Assault Divisions with long-range, general support rocket and missile indirect fires.

Well, what kind of ammo does HIMARS fire?

HIMARS is capable of launching the entire MLRS family of munitions, including the Extended-Range Rocket, the Reduced Range Practice Rocket and all future variants. HIMARS carries a single six-pack of MLRS rockets, or one Army Tactical Missile System (ATACMS) missile.

1. The Extended-Range MLRS Rocket (ER-MLRS) improves the basic M26 range of 32km to more than 45km and the area of influence by 107%.

2. In April 2004, HIMARS successfully test fired the new extended range guided rocket GMLRS, with a range of more than 70km.

3. HIMARS is also capable of firing the long-range ATACMS (Army Tactical Missile System) guided missile. The ATACMS family includes the Block 1, Block 1A and Block 1A Unitary missiles. The Block 1 missile delivers 950 anti-personnel anti-material (AP/AM) baseball-sized M74 submunitions to ranges exceeding 165km.

4. The Block 1A missile range exceeds 300km by reducing the submunition payload to 300 bomblets and adding GPS guidance.


In November 2004, HIMARS successfully completed Initial Operational Test & Evaluation, and in June 2005 it entered US Army service with the 18th Airborne Corps at Fort Bragg, NC.


HIMARS firing ATACMS missiles.

--

Information above gathered from Army-Technology and GlobalSecurity

Finally - some public news on the MLRS and wheeled APCs. A Terrex was used as part of a change of command parade recently, and hopefully, more developments can be made.
Equip 3 battalions? That's about 90-100 vehicles, going at about 10 per infantry/guards company, assuming a fully transported brigade, when needed.

Dammit, I hope it ain't the Stryker .....

I'm assuming they are evaluating 8x8s?
Boxer MRAV, AMV etc

Or is it an bailout for ST's Terrex?

The role of the MLRS as in US and IDF is changing to that of a land based strategic precision strike capability with their new LR GPS guided missiles, perhaps SAF going toward that direction as well.

Read this article:

Israel Seeks To Extend Precise Ground Strike

And I quote:

ATACMS is US version based on the US MLRS and there is one Israeli version called the Extended Range Artillery (Extra) munition system which could be adapted to fire from US MLRS as well.

This new capability I believe is why SAF is looking at MLRS.

More info from this thread:

Link

As for wheeled IFV, I think SAF is not only going digitally as in 3G army but also large structural change in almost all the Div level, one clue is the 9 Div Infantry, as stated in their report, 9 Div retained their CAD structure plus additional whatever unit left in 1st PDF and the command all infantry related training.

But what are the structure of 3 and 6 Div?

Remain as it is , I doubt so. Especially with introduction of plenty of BX( w/o the retiring of M113s), Primus SPH, Leo 2 MBT and now wheeled IFV and MLRS, major change on going now except SAF has not officially announce them.

Remember the collaboration with Ukraine to make 80mm rockets? Maybe ST can make a larger calibre projectiles. Besides both the Thais and Indons have made some of their own indegenious smaller calibre rockets with 10++km range, so I don't think it is difficult for us to make some local versions.
Talking abt 8x8 IFV, I think the Terrex may stand a chance. The recent middle east arms tradeshow, ST partner Otokar displayed an up armoured IFV of the Terrex. I think the Terrex has alot of potential for upgrades and all......

Will we buy russian? When I first saw the topic, US MRLS came into mind.

Well, who knows, a Lockheed Martin HIMARS platform with Ukranian ammo..

We've integrated Israeli FCR + Russian SAM + American platform already..nothing shocking. (M113 ADV)

Cool!!


anyway some politics !! i think Malaysian PM is a nice guy. Definitely.
In the past, all these acquisitions gonna make the MY PM hoping mad and start passing critic that will probably stir up rounds of singapore bashing.