Duncan Looi
SINGAPORE has confirmed the entry of its latest self-propelled howitzer (SPH) into service to replace current SPH platforms in the Singapore Army.
This is after the new platform–called the Truck Mounted Gun was spied in photos released by the Singapore Army marking the 50th anniversary of the Army’s 6th Singapore Division. The social media post stated that “A suite of Our Army’s Sense-Strike capabilities was also on display, including the HIMARS, TPQ-53 WLR, V15, and the newly acquired Precision Land Shooter (PLS) as well as the Truck Mounted Gun (TMG). The TMG will replace the FH2000 and SSPH as part of 6 Div/HQ SS’s transformation efforts.”
In a statement released by the Singapore Ministry of Defence, the ministry confirmed that the “The Truck Mounted Gun is fully automated and will be the Army’s Next Generation Howitzer. It will be progressively introduced into service and replace the SSPH Primus and FH-2000.” Also spotted at the parade was the Precision Land Shooter which had 3×3 canisters mounted on the back of a seemingly unarmoured utility truck.
“The Precision Land Shooter is a precision strike capability that supports the Army’s ability to respond with greater precision and speed in increasingly complex and urbanised operating environments. The introduction of these systems is part of the Army’s continuous transformation and modernisation efforts”, the statement continued.
Though not confirmed by any Singaporean authorities, the TMG was speculated to be Elbit Systems’ SIGMA 155mm SPH system mounted on a 10×10 truck. Photos In November 2021, Israel’s Elbit Systems announced that it was awarded a US$106 million contract to supply fully automatic SIGMA SPHs to a country in Asia-Pacific, with the contract to be fulfilled over a five-year period.
According to Elbit Systems of America, the SIGMA “delivers exclusive 360-degree firing, is equipped with an automated 155mm turret and is the only self-propelled wheeled cannon that can fire all variations of 155mm munitions in the US Army’s arsenal.” The SIGMA carries 40 rounds onboard and can fire eight rounds per minute while its three-person crew are in the armoured cab. It is reported that the base range exceeds 40km with standard ordnance but extended range with other munitions could reach up to 80km. It supports multiple-round simultaneous impact (MRSI) missions, enabling several projectiles to reach a target at the same time by varying firing trajectories.
The SIGMA was inducted into service with the Israeli Defence Force (IDF) in the second half of 2024 as the Roem. Additionally, the SIGMA was offered to the US Army for its Mobile Tactical Cannon (MTC) programme to replace the services M777 155mm towed howitzers. Elbit America partnered with Anduril Industries on its offer and reinforced their collaboration which also includes Oshkosh Defence–manufacturer of the system’s 10×10 platform. However, the MTC programme was won by South Korea’s Hanwha Systems.-–shp/adj/dl (Pix:SG ARMY, ELBIT)
