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Gotta admit I didnt see this one coming... They're going from AMX-13s... to Leopard 2s... Wow, thats a jump!

Neil

www.mindef.gov.sg/imin...6_nr2.html

Singapore Set to Acquire Refurbished Leopard Tanks from Germany

The Singapore Ministry of Defence and the German Federal Ministry of Defence intend to agree upon the sale of Leopard 2A4 tanks from the German Armed Forces to the Singapore Armed Forces.

The acquisition package will consist of 66 refurbished Leopard 2A4 tanks together with 30 spare tanks and supporting equipment. Training on the Leopard tanks will be provided by the German Army.

This acquisition underscores the good defence relationship between Germany and Singapore.


FACT SHEET: Capabilities and Specifications of the Leopard 2A4

- Protection: At 55.15 tons, the Leopard 2A4 tank features spaced multi-layered armour that offers protection against tank guns, armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) cannons and anti-tank weapons.

- Mobility: The Leopard 2A4 tank is powered by the MTU MB 873 Ka-501 diesel engine that delivers 1500 hp, giving the tank one of the most favourable power-to-weight ratios in its class. The Leopard 2A4 has a top speed of 72km/h.

- Lethality: The Leopard 2A4 is equipped with the 120mm, L44 smoothbore gun, which has the capability to defeat all other armoured fighting vehicles.

- Potential for Future Growth: The Leopard 2A4 configuration allows the flexibility for future growth. Hence, customised upgrades required for the operations in local environment and integration with other platforms and systems of the 3rd Generation SAF can be implemented at a later appropriate time.

- Enhancement in Capability: The Leopard 2A4 surpasses the SM1 [AMX-13] in protection and firepower. It is comparable to SM1 in mobility. As a replacement for some of the Army's SM1s, the introduction of the Leopard 2A4 represents a significant enhancement in the army's capability.

Singapore is a small country. At one time they probably had no choice but to buy small AMX13s to cope with narrow roads and bridges. I suppose they have modernized sufficiently to afford wide roads and big bridges.

On a less sarcastic note, a bigger tracked vehicle can overcome bigger obstacles. In a built up area this means lots more building rubble and bigger holes to traverse. Probably a very wise idea, although Singapore is still a small country. I think it fits on two conventional sized 1:25,000 map sheets.

My jaw just dropped. And you compare that to australia's recent Abrams purchase.....we're pathetic.

- rynoki

My jaw just dropped. And you compare that to australia's recent Abrams purchase.....we're pathetic.

Not really, Singapore doesn't have the luxury of a large "Moat" (Timor Sea, etc) as we do. It also doesn't have the benefit of superbly capable attack subs and aircraft to patrol it.
The fact that we have bought only a regts worth is no great bother as these can be easily supplemented as required from US prepositioned stock.
Ours are to maintain a capability only. It makes good economic sense given the cost of running and storing modern MBT. In an Army the size of ours without conscripts as Singapore has we are hard pressed to man the units as is without the additional drain of a second Armoured Regt which has a far greater Logistic tail than lighter formations. The possibility of the ex Dutch Pz 2000's is mouth watering though.
Cheers
Al
Arte et marte

- rynoki

My jaw just dropped. And you compare that to australia's recent Abrams purchase.....we're pathetic.

I'd disagree. IMPO, the possible advantages of the Leopard 2 are offset by the "kit" inside the Abrams. Better sensors, better comms, etc. All the soft fuzzy stuff that tends to get ignored when comparing main battle tanks in static terms (protection, mobility & firepower) - but seems to have been a difference maker in ODS & the initial combat ops of OIF.

As a whole, also considering the support that came with it, the Australian purchase is more impressive IMO.

Neil

Al, Neil, you make good points.
And don't get me wrong, I'm very pleased that we are maintaining an MBT capability. However the number of Abrams purchased is JUST enough to maintain 1 Armd Regt-although not at full strength. And given its probable life cycle the number purchased may not even cover that. Obtaining more in times of crisis from US prepositioned stocks (none in Oz I'm aware of) smacks of 'fitted for but not with' syndrome.

What was the reasoning for originally purchasing 103 LeoAS1 or 143 Centurions?

Further on the Singapore Leo 2s:

Better, Faster, Stronger - SAF to Get Refurbished Leopard Tanks

Singapore Ministry of Defence: Dec. 12, 2006)

Singapore’s refurbished Leopard 2s will replace the AMX-13 SM-1 light tanks currently in service (above). (Singapore Army photo)The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will acquire 66 refurbished Leopard 2A4 tanks from the German Federal Ministry of Defence. Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean announced this during his visit to Sungei Gedong camp on 11 Dec.

The Leopard 2A4 tanks will replace some of the current SAF SM1 tanks, as part of the SAF's transformation into the third-generation fighting force.

"The SM1 tanks which we bought 40 years ago and upgraded in the eighties have served us well," said the minister, "but as a platform to go forward to the third-generation SAF, it has some limitations."

At 55.15 tons, the Leopard 2A4 tank is more than twice the weight of the SM1 tank, which weighs at 17.2 tons.

The Leopard 2A4 also has greater firepower with a 120mm calibre smoothbore gun, equipped with stabilisation and thermal imager.

Even more impressive is the horsepower of the Leopard 2A4, which boasts 1500 hp while the SM1 packs 290 hp.

Said Mr Teo: "It (the Leopard 2A4) has good mobility, protection, firepower and provides a good baseline for us to further upgrade the tank should we want to move into the next phase for the third-generation SAF Armour."

Prior to the purchase, there were several other offers on the table. But the Leopard 2A4 refurbished tanks offered by Germany were the most cost-effective option for the SAF, explained the minister.

Although these tanks will replace some of the SM1 tanks, Mr Teo said the latter still served a very good purpose and would be in service for some years to come.

The acquisition of the Leopard 2A4s is a milestone in the SAF's transformation into the third-generation fighting force. It also allows for future growth, where other SAF systems can be integrated with the Leopard 2A4 tanks.

"We will be bringing in some of the facilities we have developed, like the Battlefield Management System, as we go along, and other types of systems to upgrade the tanks for our purposes," said Mr Teo.