Despite its surface area of ​​only 712 km2, equivalent to the conurbation of Marseille, and its population of less than 6 million inhabitants, the city-state of Singapore has always maintained a very significant defense effort. Its armed forces number more than 70.000 men, half of whom are conscripted, and have an impressive number of modern equipment: 132 combat tanks. Leopard 2, 80 mobile artillery systems, 150 combat aircraft, 20 tanker aircraft, 5 submarines and 12 frigates, to name only the main markers.
Engaged in a major phase of global modernization, these armed forces have, like many others, favored locally manufactured equipment when possible. This is the case of the new Hunter infantry fighting vehicle, which is now beginning its operational career within the Singapore armed forces, replacing some 720 M113s acquired from the United States in the 70s. They will reinforce the some 800 Bionix and 430 Terrex infantry fighting vehicles already in service, and also built locally.
The new armored vehicle, the design of which began in 2006, has a combat mass of 29 tonnes, and can transport 8 equipped infantrymen, while its crew is made up of 3 operators. It is equipped with a 30mm self-loading cannon, as well as a coaxial machine gun and two anti-tank missiles in the turret. It has a digital control system, providing overall situational visibility to the crew, and numerous means of digital communication, thanks to the Singapore Army's Battlefield Internet, or ABI. As such, it has been subject to reinforced cyber protection.
It is powered by a 700 hp engine, giving it a power-to-mass ratio of 24,5 hp per ton, very satisfactory for this type of vehicle, giving it a top speed of 70 km/h, and a range of 500 km. . The Hunter is also very comfortable off-road, capable of climbing 60° slopes and crossing trenches of more than 2m.
In fact, the Hunter today has nothing to envy of its European counterparts. Its price is currently not known.