German armour specialist Krauss-Maffei Wegmann (KMW) has signed a co-operation agreement with the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA): the procurement organisation of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the German company announced on 24 March 2023.
According to KMW, the company intends to co-operate with the DSTA in the field of data analytics; machine-learning models and algorithms will be used to gain information and insights on systems deployed by the SAF.
Weapon systems operated by the Singapore Army in which KMW is involved include Leopard 2 main battle tanks, Kodiak armoured engineer vehicles, Buffalo armoured recovery vehicles, and Leguan armoured vehicle-launched bridges on both Leopard tracked and MAN wheeled chassis. The M3 amphibious vehicle is another system from Germany in service in Singapore.
In addition to indigenously produced defence equipment, Singapore also operates numerous systems from France, the United Kingdom and the United States.
Data analytics will be used to provide information that can be used to make the maintenance and operation of SAF combat vehicles even more efficient.
“This partnership with KMW is expected to accelerate DSTA’s ongoing efforts to digitise the SAF’s fleet management system to ensure high operational readiness of various platforms and reduce both operational and personnel costs,” said Roy Chan, the DSTA’s Deputy Chief Executive (Operations).
Gerhard Heiming
