UNLEASHING THE LEOPARD

"Call in the cavalry!" A familiar cry issued by commanders in the grip of battle is often heard in old war movies. Relied upon to bring firepower into hostile locations, tanks - the modern equivalent of horse-mounted cavalry - ride into battle protected by their armoured hides while packing a powerful punch.

The Armour formation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) turns 40 this year, and in line with its transformation into a 3rd Generation fighting force, the SAF Armour has added the formidable Leopard 2A4 Main Battle Tanks (MBTs) to its fold.

Imagine this: as enemy forces manoeuvre into position, they are being watched by Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs). The stealthy surveillance craft transmit live images to senior commanders at Command Headquarters. Senior commanders, now aware of the enemy s location and numbers, react swiftly by calling in firepower from the F-16 fighter jets and Apache attack helicopters. Next to be summoned is the artillery and armoured column, which takes out the remaining enemy forces.

The threat is effectively neutralised. Mission accomplished.

Adding another piece of the puzzle to this networked system of combat is the Leopard 2A4 MBT, a 55-tonne behemoth that will fight alongside other SAF platforms at a level of integration never before seen.

Inaugurated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean during the Armour formation s 40th anniversary parade on 26 Jun, the new tanks form the 48th Battalion, Singapore Armoured Regiment (48 SAR).

"Success on the modern battlefield is increasingly being determined by how well various combat assets which used to fight as separate entities can now be integrated into a fighting system that leverages on a network of sensors, manoeuvre units and fire-delivery systems," said Mr Teo in his address at the parade.

"Armour does not fight alone. It fights today as part of a system," added Mr Teo.

Together as one

In the past 40 years, the Armour formation has played a vital role in securing Singapore s peace and security. While the SAF's mission to ensure Singapore s continued peace and security has never wavered, the evolution of the defence landscape calls for a precision-fire force.

"The Leopard 2A4 MBTs will be better able to meet the SAF's and Armour formation s needs as we transform into the 3rd Generation fighting force," said Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Ng Chia Yong, Commanding Officer 48 SAR.

Working with other platforms in the Armour formation such as the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicles and Bronco All-Terrain Tracked Carriers, the new Leopard 2A4 MBTs form the backbone of the formation s network-centric fighting system.

Explaining Armour's role in the SAF's transformation, Chief Armour Officer Brigadier-General (BG) Philip Lim said: "The SAF relies on armoured forces to extend its frontiers in battle. A network-centric Armour can achieve more with less resource."

The Leopard 2A4 MBTs are currently being fitted with 3rd Generation capabilities such as the Battlefied Management System (BMS) which will enable commanders to make split-second decisions as operational dynamics change. The BMS allows tank commanders to view the positions of friends and foe in real time as graphical representations on a screen inside the tank.

"We will be able to command on the move. With BMS and other systems installed, we are able to see first, kill first, far beyond visual range,"said BG Lim. On the ground, commanders of the Leopard 2A4 MBTs will have access to smaller UAVs which will relay images of the battlefield ahead. Utilising all the systems as one will give commanders a formidable edge.

Manning the Leopards

Made up mainly of Full-time National Servicemen grouped into four-man teams to operate the Leopard 2A4 MBTs, each set of crew comprises a Driver, Gunner, Loader and Tank Commander.

The Gunner controls the main gun and co-axial machine gun both located in the turret of the tank. Working with the Loader, who loads the Leopard 2A4 MBT's main gun with the correct ammunition in eight seconds or less, the Gunner acquires targets and waits for the Tank Commander to give orders to fire. To ensure operational flexibility, each of the highly-specialised four-man crew is trained to take over one another's roles when necessary.

For one of the drivers of the new Leopard 2A4 MBTs, the cross-training has extended his understanding of how his individual actions affect his fellow crew. "How smoothly I drive affects shooting accuracy, as I learnt when I took on the Gunner's role," said Lance-Corporal (LCP) Elon Tan.

48 SAR has done well since the battalion's establishment 14 months ago. Within that short span of time, it has successfully completed tactical and live-firing training in Australia and Germany.

In October last year, the highly mobile and lethal tanks performed their first integrated live-firing exercise in Australia during Exercise Wallaby, working seamlessly with other air and land platforms such as the Apache attack helicopters and the artillery.

Armour bonds

The tight bond within the newly-inaugurated battalion is evident throughout its ranks.

"I need not speak of the bond within 48 SAR. You can see it in the expressions of my men," said Captain Veronica Tan, Officer Commanding Second Company 48 SAR.

Expressing pride in being part of Armour and an operator of the new Leopard 2A4 MBT, LCP Paramjit Singh told PIONEER: "I feel a sense of belonging and proud that I am a part of the formation and the Leopard 2A4 MBT battalion."

"Once Armour, always Armour," said the 21-year-old Loader with much pride and conviction.

Up next for the newly-commissioned battalion is keeping up the momentum in training as it journeys towards Full Operational Capability.

Fearsome predator

Like its animal namesake, the Leopard 2A4 MBT is a fast and mean machine. Capable of top speeds in excess of 70kmh, the Leopard 2A4 MBT can fire with accuracy while on the move, aided by a clever system of gyroscopes that stabilises the main gun-barrel, compensating for vehicle movement over undulating terrain.

Equppied with a main 120mm smoothbore gun, a 7.62mm machine gun and an anti-aircraft machine gun, the Leopard 2A4 MBT also carries smoke grenade launchers to mask itself during tactical movement.

The Leopard 2A4 MBT is also better armoured than its predecessor, giving its crew the confidence to punch harder into enemy territory.