(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — The Singapore Army will fully transition to a new light machine gun by the end of July, according to an announcement by the country’s Ministry of Defence.
All active combat and support units of the army will be equipped with the new Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR) 6940E-SG.
The Singapore Army began progressively introducing the new light machine gun to its personnel in April, replacing the locally-made Section Automatic Weapon (SAW) “Ultimax 100,” which has been in service since 1982.
Manufactured by U.S. firearms maker Colt Manufacturing, the new light machine gun was evaluated and acquired in collaboration with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).
The light machine gun will serve as a support weapon for infantry personnel, providing suppressive fire to enable their comrades to advance more effectively.
Currently, the Colt IAR, which the Singapore Army will adopt, is also used by the Mexican Marine Corps.
Compared to the previously used Ultimax 100, the new light machine gun is shorter and lighter, with a longer effective range.
“In recent years, we have identified an increase in urban operations and the need to minimize collateral damage, particularly when our troops operate in complex urban environments,” said Lt. Col. Chan Wen Kai of the Singapore Army to the local media.
“In addition to close-quarter combat, the new Colt IAR will help our troops operate more effectively in challenging conditions,” he added.
“We believe now is the right time for the Singapore Army to replace its light machine guns to meet new combat challenges.”
Lt. Col. Chan described the new light machine gun as providing “greater operational flexibility” for the troops.
In terms of specifications, the new Singapore Army light machine gun measures between 849mm and 933mm in length, making it 17 percent shorter than the Ultimax 100, which is 1030mm long.
It weighs 4.3kg, approximately 600g lighter than the 4.9kg Ultimax 100.
The new weapon fires standard NATO 5.56x45mm rounds with an effective range of 600 meters, compared to the Ultimax 100’s 460 meters.
It has a firing rate of 1000 rounds per minute (rpm), versus 600rpm for the Ultimax 100, and is equipped with a red dot sighting system for quicker and more accurate target acquisition.
Additionally, it features a Picatinny Rail for mounting various accessories.
“The acquisition of the Colt IAR as the new light machine gun for the Singapore Army is part of our modernization efforts to enhance our operational capabilities,” said a military official, as reported by local media. — DSA