The Singapore Armed Forces will soon be using a new anti-tank weapon, capable of hitting
armoured targets up to four kilometres away.
Known as SPIKE, this advanced
anti-tank missile system will replace the 106mm Recoiless Gun used by the SAF since the
early seventies.
SPIKE can destroy modern
tanks fitted with enhanced protection under all weather conditions.
The weapon is lightweight, and can be carried by a three-man crew or
mounted on a combat jeep or Light Strike Vehicle.
SPIKE has many special features - like the Fire
and Forget Mode.
Said Major Leonard Tan, Officer Commanding Anti-Armour Weapons Wing,
School of Infantry Weapons: "The firer, upon firing the missile actually can
disappear from the firing position. The missile-seeker will have a memory to register the
lock-on point and then zoom in to destroy the target."
Minister of State for Defence David Lim witnessed the capabilities of
the SPIKE system at the Sungei Gedong Live-Firing.
He saw how SPIKE hit a target
located about two kilometres away.
Commenting on the system's capabilities after the demonstration, Mr Lim
said SPIKE is specially designed and tailored to
SAF's needs.
He added that it is the first system in the world to have a unique
capability.
Said Mr Lim: "The ability to do a mid-course correction is a very
potent capability. And also the ability to operate in all kinds of weather conditions,
both day and night."
SPIKE will be used by the
SAF's Infantry and Guards units.
(taken from i-square, 13/7/99)