♥ Tuesday, February 2
SINGAPORE: Asia’s largest aviation and defence exhibition, the Singapore Airshow, will take place on Tuesday.
Besides the commercial aspects, experts said defence contracts are something that will also be keenly observed.
And already the largest exhibitor, ST Engineering, has announced a S$58.8 million contract for the demilitarisation of ammunition for an African country.
The contract involves the supply of special equipment and services such as training and operations assistance. The contract is scheduled to be completed within the first half of 2012.
The company will also showcase Southeast Asia’s first—ever unmanned surface vehicle and other innovations at the event.
The VENUS Unmanned Surface Vehicle or USV can be used for naval missions and security operations. It is designed such that it can be reconfigured for maritime surveillance as well as anti—submarine warfare.
Such innovation is part of ST Engineering’s focus on customised solutions, especially with changing security needs worldwide.
Patrick Choy, executive VP, International Marketing, ST Engineering, said: "The situation that happened in Mumbai, for example, the terrorists came in from the water and created so much havoc.
"So in a sense, we are now going out to the market and say ’Look, there’s a real need to protect cities and protect all these assets.’"
It took two years for the company to develop the USV and it costs more than S$2 million, depending on various levels of customisation required. Even so, the company said there are already interested buyers.
Another innovation to be showcased at the airshow for the first time is the Trailblazer vehicle which destroys mines.
The Warthog will also make its debut at the show. Ten of the vehicles have been purchased by the UK Army for use in Afghanistan. — CNA/vm
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