Singapore trials new unmanned ground vehicle for airbase patrols

The unmanned ground vehicle being evaluated by the RSAF to patrol its airbases, seen here ahead of a public event to mark the service's 55th anniversary. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is carrying out trials of an unmanned ground vehicle (UGV) with the aim of eventually deploying the equipment for airbase security operations.

The eight-wheeled UGV is being put up for display at a public event to mark the service's 55th anniversary, which will be held at the Paya Lebar Air Base from 9 to 10 September. The UGV display is part of an exhibition segment that showcases the RSAF's future capabilities.

In response to questions from Janes during a visit to the exhibition, which is being held for members of the media ahead of its opening to the public, representatives from the RSAF confirmed that the UGV has been put on trials at an unspecified airbase.

However, the service did not provide any other details such as the number of units being evaluated and the expected date on which the trials will end.

The RSAF representatives did not provide any information on the vehicle and its specifications, but its chassis bears resemblance to the Jaeger 8 multirole UGV from Singapore defence prime ST Engineering.

The Jaeger 8 was first unveiled by the company at the 2016 iteration of the Singapore Airshow. It has a length of 2.8 m, weighs about 1,000 kg, and can carry payloads of up to 750 kg. It has a top speed of 16 km/h and can be fitted with a remote-controlled weapon station that is armed with a 7.62 mm machine gun.