Singapore Army unveils new automated artillery, precision strike systems新加坡陆军推出新型自动化火炮和精确打击系统
The Singapore Army has unveiled two new systems as part of its continuous transformation and modernisation efforts.Two details stood out in the Army's Facebook post on Oct 2 as the 6th Singapore Division celebrated its 50th anniversary — never-seen-before systems flanking a golden jubilee backdrop — a truck-mounted launcher and a truck-mounted artillery.In its reply to AsiaOne's queries, the Ministry...
The Singapore Army has unveiled two new systems as part of its continuous transformation and modernisation efforts.
Two details stood out in the Army's Facebook post on Oct 2 as the 6th Singapore Division celebrated its 50th anniversary — never-seen-before systems flanking a golden jubilee backdrop — a truck-mounted launcher and a truck-mounted artillery.
In its reply to AsiaOne's queries, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) referred to the new systems as a Truck-Mounted Gun (TMG) and a Precision Land Shooter (PLS), without identifying either system.
A MINDEF spokesperson said the TMG is fully-automated and will be the Army's next-generation howitzer.
"It will be progressively introduced into service and replace the SSPH Primus and FH-2000."
The SSPH Primus, a 155mm 39-calibre track-based, self-propelled howitzer, was introduced into service with the Singapore Artillery in 2003. Its development journey dates back to 1996.
Meanwhile, the Field Howitzer 2000 (FH-2000) is a 155mm 52-calibre towed artillery piece, and was developed by Singapore Technologies in 1993.
The two systems are crewed by a four-man and six- to eight-man team respectively.
Other artillery systems in use by the Singapore Artillery include the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and the Singapore Light-Weight Howitzer (SLWH) Pegasus.
A closer look at the TMG presented in the Army's Facebook post reveals similarities with the SIGMA 155mm 52-calibre self-propelled howitzer.
The artillery system's manufacturer, Elbit Systems, said on its website: "(It is) capable of automatic loading and laying of the gun system, rapid in-and-out action times and high rate of fire."
It added that the artillery system is capable to automatically selecting and loading the required projectile, propellant and fuse, and laying the gun to optimally engage targets.
Checks on Elbit's past media releases show that it had on Nov 15, 2021, announced that the company secured a US$106 million (S$135.7 million) contract from an "Asia-Pacific country" for the supply of SIGMA fully-automated self-propelled howitzer gun systems.
It did not name the country, but said the contract will be fulfilled over a five-year period.
Meanwhile, the PLS comprises a set of nine-launch canisters — in a three-by-three arrangement — mounted on an unarmoured Singapore Armed Forces utility truck.
MINDEF described it as a precision strike system that supports the Army's ability to respond with greater precision and speed in an increasingly complex and urbanised operating environment.
Defence journal Janes noted an external resemblance to launchers associated with Rafael's Spike non-line-of-sight (NLOS) missile family, while Asian Military Review described the system as a loitering munition.
However, even though Rafael described its Spike NLOS as a multi-purpose missile providing "pinpoint precision", both assessments cannot be independently confirmed as yet.
MINDEF told AsiaOne in a statement that the introduction of the two systems is part of the Army's continuous transformation and modernisation efforts.
新加坡陆军推出了两款新系统，这是其持续转型和现代化努力的一部分。
10 月 2 日，新加坡陆军在 Facebook 上发布了一则帖子，庆祝新加坡第 6 师成立 50 周年，其中有两个细节格外引人注目——在金色禧年背景的衬托下，出现了前所未见的系统——一辆车载发射器和一辆车载火炮。
在回复 AsiaOne 的询问时，国防部 (MINDEF) 将新系统称为车载机枪 (TMG) 和精确陆地射击器 (PLS)，但没有具体说明是哪个系统。
国防部发言人表示，TMG是全自动的，将成为陆军的下一代榴弹炮。
“它将逐步投入使用，并取代SSPH Primus和FH-2000。”
SSPH Primus 是一款 155 毫米 39 倍径履带式自行榴弹炮，于 2003 年在新加坡炮兵部队服役。它的研发历程可以追溯到 1996 年。
与此同时，野战榴弹炮 2000 (FH-2000) 是一款 155 毫米 52 倍径牵引式火炮，由新加坡技术公司于 1993 年研制。
这两个系统分别由四人和六至八人组成的团队操作。
新加坡炮兵部队使用的其他火炮系统包括高机动性火箭炮系统（HIMARS）和新加坡轻型榴弹炮（SLWH）飞马炮。
仔细观察陆军在 Facebook 帖子中展示的 TMG，可以发现它与 SIGMA 155 毫米 52 倍径自行榴弹炮有相似之处。
该火炮系统的制造商埃尔比特系统公司在其网站上表示：“（它）能够自动装填和部署火炮系统，快速进出操作时间和高射速。”
报告还指出，该火炮系统能够自动选择和装填所需的炮弹、推进剂和引信，并调整火炮以最佳方式打击目标。
查阅 Elbit 过去的媒体发布记录可知，该公司曾在 2021 年 11 月 15 日宣布，已从“亚太国家”获得一份价值 1.06 亿美元（1.357 亿新元）的合同，用于供应 SIGMA 全自动自行榴弹炮系统。
声明中没有指明是哪个国家，但表示合同将在五年内履行完毕。
同时，PLS 由九个发射筒组成，呈三乘三排列，安装在新加坡武装部队的无装甲多用途卡车上。
国防部将其描述为一种精确打击系统，能够支持陆军在日益复杂和城市化的作战环境中更精确、更快速地做出反应。
国防杂志《简氏防务周刊》指出，该系统的外形与拉斐尔公司的“长钉”非视距（NLOS）导弹系列的发射器相似，而《亚洲军事评论》则将该系统描述为巡飞弹。
然而，尽管拉斐尔公司将其 Spike NLOS 导弹描述为一种提供“精确打击”的多用途导弹，但目前尚无法独立证实这两种评估。
国防部在一份声明中告诉AsiaOne，引进这两个系统是陆军持续转型和现代化努力的一部分。