summised from cyberpioneer
New floating bridge
unveiled
Good things usually come in pairs and this was certainly true for
the Singapore Combat Engineers on 24 Apr.
They celebrated their 40th anniversary at the Floating Platform at
Marina Bay, and also unveiled two new platforms - the
new-generation float bridge and the Chemical, Biological,
Radiological and Explosives (CBRE) Defence capability.
The German-made M3G Float Bridge acquired to replace the existing
fleet of ageing float bridges in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)
is a high-mobility wheeled vehicle which can be opened up as a
mobile platform for crossing waterways.
In use since last year, the M3G takes only 20 minutes to construct
a bridge, unlike its predecessors, the Comet and Almond, which take
up to 30 and 50 minutes respectively.
Only eight men are needed to operate the M3G, and its amphibious
capability will aid the combat engineers more in their
operations.
Relating his experience in operating the new floating equipment,
Master Warrant (MWO) Ow Ken Loon said: "This new M3G is of high
performance, and it's much improved, compared to the previous
equipment that we have.
"It's highly mechanised and easy to operate," added the Brigade
Sergeant Major of Headquarters Army Combat Engineers (HQ ARMCEG).
"It reduces manpower and time, which results in faster
deployment."
Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean was at Marina Bay to commission
the new equipment. He also took a ride on the M3G.
He said: "It's a modular and very flexible piece of equipment which
can be built into a bridge and also be used as a raft.
"It's more modernised and more manoeuvrable, and it's a more
powerful piece of equipment," added Mr Teo, comparing the floating
bridge to the current bridges in the SAF.
"It should be able to serve our purpose well."
