SUPPORT TROOPS GET ARMOUR PROTECTION
STORY // Koh Eng Beng
PHOTO // Chai Sian Liang & Courtesy of ST Engineering
Unlike most military trucks used today, this armoured vehicle can shield soldiers from bullets and mine blasts. And soldiers can fire a machine gun from within, without exposing themselves to enemy fire.
This is the new Belrex Protected Combat Support Vehicle (PCSV), which was designed to provide better protection for the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) combat service and support elements.
The Belrex PCSV will replace most of the five-tonne and 1.5-tonne trucks currently used in the SAF.
Built by the Defence Science and Technology Agency and Singapore Technologies Kinetics, the Belrex PCSV has been configured in seven variants to meet the needs of different missions.
The Army is developing three more variants -- to fire the mortar, carry mortar rounds and for reconnaissance.
| Tech Specs | |||
| Crew size | Front: 2 | Rear: Up to 8 | |
| Dimensions | 7.25m (L) | 2.60m (W) 2.75m (H) |
|
| Weight | 20 tonnes | ||
| Power to weight ratio | 14.8hp/tonne | ||
| Max speed | 110km/h | ||
| Range | 600km | ||
| Vertical step clearance | 0.40m | ||
| Trench clearance | 0.95m | ||
| Maximum front slope | 60% | ||
| Mortar Ammunition Carrier Variant | |
| Carriage system for efficient supply and transfer of mortar ammunition. | |
| Mortar Variant | |
| Integrated with Advanced Mortar System to provide effective and responsive fire support. | |
| Reconnaissance Variant | |
| Mobility equipment and sensors for surveillance and reconnaissance operations. |
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