AMR-June-July-2013

I N F A N T R Y
F I G H T I N G
V E H I C L E S
Singapore Armed Forces’ Terrex ICV fitted with remote weapon station outfitted with a 40mm AGL
and 7.62mm co-axial MG, and clearly showing external stowage racks on the hull side © STK
These have been enhanced in a number of
areas including an upgraded power pack,
additional armour and, in some cases,
enhanced firepower. Some have also been
fitted with the RAFAEL Advanced
Defense Systems Remote Weapons
Stations (RWS) armed with an ATK 25mm
M252 dual-feed cannon, and 7.62mm coaxial
MG. Meanwhile others have been fitted
with the locally-developed cupola
armed with a .50 MG and a 40mm AGL.
These upgraded M113 series vehicles
have been supplemented by the locallydeveloped
Singapore Technologies
Kinetics (STG) Bionix family of vehicles
(FOV). The Bionix 25 IFV is fitted with a
two-person turret possessing a stabilised
25mm M242 dual feed cannon and a
7.62mm co-axial MG with an addition
7.62mm MG mounted one on either side of
the roof at the rear. In addition to the crew
of three consisting of commander, gunner
and driver the Bionix UFV carries seven
dismounts. The Bionix 25 was followed by
the Bionix 30 which is similar but armed
with the more potent ATK 30mm MK44
dual feed cannon and 7.62mm axial MG.
There is also the Bionix APC which has the
same locally developed cupola as fitted to
the upgraded M113, but with more internal
volume it can carry nine dismounts.
More specialised versions of the Bionix
including an ARV, armoured vehicle
launched bridge and flail-type mine
clearing vehicle.
Like other countries, Singapore is moving
to more balanced fleet of tracked and
wheeled AFVs and STK developed the
The Bionix APC has
the same locally
developed cupola as
fitted to the upgraded
M113, but with more
internal volume it can
carry nine dismounts
Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) to
meet the operational requirements of the
SAF with first vehicles deployed in 2010.
The first production contract was for a
total of 135 vehicles which is sufficient for
three battalions but there have been follow
on contracts for additional vehicles.
The baseline Terrex ICV has a crew of two
and carries eleven dismounts. It is fitted
with an RWS armed with a 40mm AGL
and a 7.62mm co-axial MG, a .50 MG, or a
combination of these weapons. The hull is
of all welded steel with applique amour
and, unlike many of the recently-developed
8x8 vehicles, the Terrex ICV is fully
amphibious via two propellers installed
one on either side under the hull rear. The
Terrex ICV also features applique armour,
cameras for enhanced situational awareness
through a full 360 degrees and a battle
management system. In addition to the
baseline Terex ICV there are a number of
more specialised versions and these are
known to include ATGW, command,
engineer, reconnaissance, surveillance
and target acquisition and specialised
strike observer mission variants.
20
l ASIAN MILITARY REVIEW
l