July 09, 2015
On July 8, Singapore’s defense minister Ng Eng Hen commissioned new armored vehicles at a ceremony in the city-state.
The new Peacekeeper Protected Response Vehicle (PRV) was jointly developed by the Army and the Defense Science and Technology Agency, a body which supports Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) servicemen.
According to a statement released by the Ministry of Defense (MINDEF), seen by The Diplomat, The Peacekeeper is a marked improvement on the V200 armored vehicles which it is replacing. First, it boasts a remote control weapon system with three different weapons configurations – a 40mm automatic grenade launcher, a 12.7 mm heavy machine gun, and a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun. A remote control weapon system is important because it allows crew to engage targets accurately even when the vehicle is on the move.
Second, it offers better protection. The Peacekeeper is able to withstand small arms fire and fragmentation better than its predecessor. For instance, it is equipped with features such as bulletproof windows, protection for its fuel tank, and an onboard fire suppression system. Third and lastly, it is more mobile. Its six large off-road tires enable it to traverse across a variety of terrain. It also features locking systems for better traction, a Central Tire Inflation System to protect against leaks or punctures, and an anti-lock braking system to prevent it from skidding or locking when in wet surfaces.
Ng said The Peacekeeper would be added to the capabilities of the 2nd People’s Defense Force (2 PDF Command), whose 50th anniversary he was commemorating. The 2 PDF is charged with homeland border protection, ensuring the security of key installations and coordinating military resources to assist other agencies in civil emergencies. Ng said that given the new challenges that Singapore is facing, most prominently threats from the Islamic State in Iraq and Syria, the 2 PDF Command had to “continue to update its doctrine, tactics and equipment.”
Meanwhile, the V200, which has been used for four decades, will be phased out progressively from 2016.
The Peacekeeper is one of many asset upgrades that Singapore has revealed this year during the 50th anniversary of the nation’s independence. Another recent unveiling was that of the Littoral Mission Vessels (See: “What Do We Know About Singapore’s New Warship”).
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