Long wait finally ends? (tank)

last SG · 2006-09-03T00:18:52+00:00

I thought they mated the Bionix and the UCVP platform to form a hybrid, then slapped the Hitfist onto it? I didn't think it was just a normal Bionix platform...

equlus84 SG

Folks I would like to discuss something with you guys and see your comments on this issue. If TRUE, we may have witness the indirect acknowledgement that the new light tank by ST is out.

Last night, while watching the news at channel 8 around 2200hs....... There was this report on Singapore exploring possibilities of signing a defence pact with Indonesia. As you noe, news are usually accompanied with a small "avatar" at the top right hand corner with some relevant pics. Wad shock me is that the pic consist of a Singapore and Indonesia flag, with A UN-IDENTIFIED ARMOURED VEHICLE THAT HAS NEVER BEEN SEEN IN OUR ARMOUR FORMATION.

The AFV is clear a tank not a IFV as it seems to have a large calibre gun. It is definitely not the AMX10/13 or scorpion, PT-76 used by the Indonesian forces. It's profile is definitely not like that of AMX-13, as it is lower in height and the turret look more like MBT style one, not the funny AMX-13 one.The gun is also definitely bigger than 76mm from the pic and it does not look like a "tankette". I can't see clearly how many road wheel it have, but the hull seems to be different from the BIONIX and is a little shorter.

Can those folks that seem to witness the same thing, provide some extra info?

wonderamazement SG

NPNT Laughing

beavan SG

no idea what u are talking about

tankee1981 SG

I didn't see this 'avatar' which you have mentioned. But i wish to point out that such pics used in news broadcasts may not have to be directly related to the news itself, sometimes these pictures are chosen randomly.

The only way to clear any doubts is to provide the picture which you have seen on tv. Very Happy

Shotgun SG

Has the 2nd generation of BX been officially acknowledged already? I saw some discussions already.

moca SG

Could it be the AMX-10P?

Used by both SG & INDO. 90mm gun.

I can't see any reason why ST will want to give a "hint" of a new tank in this fashion.

equlus84 SG

Ok folks, i'm not joking, i also knoe how the AMX10 looks like, thus I could not have made a mistake. It really looks like a scaled down MBT. Too bad I dun have the clip here.

Some say the pics may not be relevant to news. But why would the news purposely get a pic of a tank that does not belong to SAF and show it?

sane_guy2 SG

According to foreign reports, Singapore tried to develop a light tank armed with 105mm gun on the Bionix chassis, but has encountered problem as it seems Bionix not suitable for such role. And we stopped after that, and is now looking for an alternative.

saline SG

and where is the "foreign report". share with us.

gary1910 SG

Yes, Bionix Mk II was reported by Mindef that it was involved in last year exe in Australia.

Here the report:

http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2005/oct/28oct05_nr2.html

And I quote:

Exercise Wallaby 2005 will be conducted from 14 October to 27 November in two training frames. The second frame will feature an inaugural Division Systems Live-Firing exercise with Air-Land integration involving F-16 aircraft, Primus Self-propelled Howitzers, Bionix II Armoured Fighting Vehicles, and Robotic Ground Unmanned Systems. This will exercise the networking of the SAFs systems a key feature of the 3G SAF.

beavan SG

is it the variant with the 25mm gun on top? instead of the 40/50?

tankee1981 SG

Yes its that variant but with the 25mm changed to 30mm instead.

tankee1981 SG

Yes, i agree. It will also be extremely unlikely for Mindef to leak this info to Mediacorp and to be released in such a manner by way of a hint in a avatar.

saline SG

yup, 30mm gun, laser range finder, GPS, improved armour protection, repositioning of the CMG and smk , improvements of the driver's compartment, etc....
but the swimming is still Embarassed

LRRP SG

It dont mean nothing…just a agency stock photo

fudgester SG

x2. I'm thinking that they simply took a file pic of an unknown foreign tank to illustrate the avatar.

Shotgun SG

if that was the case, it would be rather unproffesional journalism.

warspite SG

Not every one is as interested in Miltary Equipment as most of us here. As far as they are concerned, a tank is just a tank..... Won't be surprised if they cannot identify an SM1 from a Bionix!!! Laughing

beavan SG

haha bionix shouldn't be called "swimable." if the enemy sees them swimming, they just need to fire a couple of shots to penetrate the swimming screen to sink it.

sgf SG

Even though the newspapers are supposed to get their facts right, I've seen the Bionix get labelled as a tank and a M-16 get labelled as a machine gun tons of times. Rolling Eyes