Extending our Horizons - Singapore Technologies Engineering

Setting the Pace for New ChallengesSingapore Technologies Kinetics (ST Kinetics), theGroup’s land systems arm, designs, manufacturesand services a wide range of military and commercialvehicles, weapons and munition systems. In 2004,it continued to provide cutting edge technologiesto address the growing needs in homeland securityand the modern battlefield. Leveraging on corecompetencies, it has expanded its commercialbusiness and accelerated its penetration into China’srapidly expanding construction equipment andautomotive sectors.Penetrating new marketsST Kinetics remained resolute in its efforts to accessnew markets and customers, packaging products andsolutions for defence and commercial customers aroundthe world.The Bronco All Terrain Tracked Carrier continued toattract interest from many overseas armies. In July,ST Kinetics was awarded a feasibility study contractto explore the development of a Future All TerrainVehicle for the Finnish Defence Forces. This endorsesST Kinetics standing as an international defencecompany. As part of the evaluation, the Broncoclocked more than 8,000km over a six month periodunder harsh arctic conditions in Finland. It alsosurpassed expectations in mobility trials conductedelsewhere in Europe, Africa, Asia Pacific and the US.As part of its US thrust, ST Kinetics sealed aMemorandum Of Understanding (MOU) with LockheedMartin in February for joint cooperation in the area ofmanned and unmanned ground systems.In September, ST Kinetics joined forces with an industrypartner to propose an integrated maintenance, repairand overhaul outsourcing solution to the United ArabEmirates Armed Forces. The result of this internationaltender is expected to be known in the first halfof 2005.On the home front, as the strategic partner to theSingapore Armed Forces (SAF), ST Kinetics continuedto invest in new technologies to align its capabilitiesto the SAF’s vision for a leaner and more potent ThirdGeneration (3G) Army. There were also continuedcontractual deliveries of the Primus Self PropelledHowitzer, Bronco, SAR 21 Assault Rifle as well asother services.In the commercial business sector, ST Kineticsachieved milestones in penetrating the Chinesemarket. In March, Beijing Zhonghuan Kinetics HeavyVehicles (BZK), a 50-50 joint venture (JV) with BeijingHeavy Duty Truck Plant, commenced operations.In 2004, BZK produced 120 units of 20 tonne OffroadDump Trucks (ODT) and 20 units of 32 tonneODTs. It has also produced 10 Bulk Cement Tankersand expects type approvals for Concrete Mixers byearly 2005.Following the MOUs, STAR Automotive signed with SinoStride Technology (SST) and Pacific City InternationalHoldings (PCI), JV agreements were signed in Decemberto set up two premier automotive repair and inspectioncentres to service the Guangdong, Jiangsu andThe long term growth prospects for China alsohighlight the growth potential of its automotiverepair and maintenance services sectors.Defence SectorThe 9/11 attacks, the threat of terrorism and theavailability of technology driven weapons andsystems had led armed forces to rethink theirdoctrines on training, equipment and warfare.Defence forces are investing in new combatcapabilities such as: smarter weapons which givemobility and are more lethal and accurate; multirole platforms that can operate in a wider varietyof scenarios offering improved payloads withoutcompromising transportability; network-centricsystems that give commanders real time battlefieldinformation and the capability to direct precisionfirepower and other responses.Industry Review >>55TheEnterpriseInstinct