ST Engineering announced on 26 January that it had received a contract to manufacture Titan 8×8 armoured vehicles for the Singapore Army. However, vehicle quantities and the contract value were not specified.
The Titan is based on ST Engineering’s latest-generation iteration of the Terrex 8×8 vehicle called the s5. The contract was apparently signed last December, and deliveries to the Singapore Army will commence in 2028.
ST Engineering is partnering with the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to customise the Titan with “additional capabilities”.
MINDEF refers to the well-armed Titan as an infantry fighting vehicle. It said, “The Titan is designed with new digitalised systems, advanced vehicle electronics and a command-and-control architecture to support networked motorised operations.”
These digital systems provide enhanced situational awareness and operational efficiency. The Titan’s generic vehicle architecture is secured against cyber intrusion, and presumably the vehicles will be designed to cooperate closely with unmanned systems.
MINDEF added, “In addition to enhanced protection and mobility, it has stronger firepower and is equipped with a 30mm cannon mounted on a remote controlled weapon station.” This will possibly be ST Engineering’s Adder remote turret armed with a Northrop Grumman MK44S 30mm cannon and a coaxial 7.62mm machine gun.
This confirms information given by then Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen back in March 2025. He had revealed at that time that the Titan would be equipped with a 30mm cannon and that it would be able to counter drones.
The company remarked, “Designed for future-ready operations, the Terrex s5’s capabilities are designed around five core pillars – smartness, superiority, sustainability, survivability and serviceability.” This is where the “s5’ nomenclature comes from.
Lim Kok Ann, President of the Land Systems business at ST Engineering, commented: “MINDEF’s selection of the Terrex s5 as its next-generation IFV reaffirms our ability in designing and building advanced armoured mobility platforms. With our multi-domain expertise and engineering depth, we are confident that the new IFV will deliver outstanding mobility, advanced smart technologies and unmatched adaptability to support Singapore’s future fighting force.”
Lim also noted, “As we continue to innovate and address the evolving needs of the modern armed forces, the Terrex s5 will strengthen our portfolio of integrated defence offerings for nations seeking proven and robust solutions to expand their national defence capabilities.”
Indeed, ST Engineering displayed the Terrex s5 at DIMDEX in Qatar from 19-22 January, as it seeks international customers.
ST Engineering also announced in December 2024 that it had signed a strategic partnership agreement with Kazakhstan Paramount Engineering (KPE) to supply 8×8 amphibious vehicles, based on the earlier Terrex 2, to Kazakhstan’s military. Some 200 vehicles are being produced under this arrangement, and Asian Military Review understands that KPE is modifying supplied kits.
Dimensionally, the Terrex s5 is 8.3m long, 3m wide and 2.7m high. It can carry a 13-tonne payload and accommodate up to twelve soldiers. ST Engineering is also marketing a hybrid electric-drive option.
The Terrex s5 weighs 35 tonnes, and possesses STANAG 4569 Level 4 ballistic protection and Level 4a/4b blast protection.
In an amphibious configuration, the Terrex s5 can swim in conditions up to Sea State 3, moving at speeds of 8-10km/h in water. However, a Titan image shown by MINDEF does not show any trim vane or waterborne propulsion, suggesting Singapore’s new vehicle will not be amphibious.
The Singapore Army already operates an estimated 135 examples of the original Terrex 1 8×8 vehicle, according to data from The Military Balance 2025.
by Gordon Arthur
