# Hunter AFV
The Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle (AFV) is a tracked armored fighting vehicle of the [Singapore Army](https://www.edgepedia.org/singapore-army), jointly developed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) with the Singapore Army and [ST Engineering](https://www.edgepedia.org/st-engineering). It is the Singapore Army's first fully digitalised platform and replaces the fleet of Ultra M113 AFVs, which had been in service since the 1970s.[1](https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/11jun19_fs/)
| Key fact | Detail |
|---|---|
| Developer | Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) with the Singapore Army and ST Engineering[1](https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/11jun19_fs/) |
| Status | Commissioned 11 June 2019; deliveries began in 2019; replaces the Ultra M113 AFV[1](https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/11jun19_fs/) |
| Armament | Remote Controlled Weapon Station with a 30mm cannon, anti-tank guided missiles on selected variants, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and a 76mm smoke grenade launcher[1](https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/11jun19_fs/) |
| Turret and missiles | Unmanned Rafael Samson turret with a 30mm Mk44 autocannon and Spike missiles[2](https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2024/06/asian-pacific-armoured-vehicles-requirements-and-fielding/) |
| Digital systems | Suite of C4 (command, control, communications and computer) systems for networked warfighting[1](https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/11jun19_fs/) • [3](https://defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/armed-for-our-5e0ple) |
| Powerpack | MTU 8V-199 diesel engine of 720 hp with an HMX300 hydro-mechanical transmission[2](https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2024/06/asian-pacific-armoured-vehicles-requirements-and-fielding/) |
| Troop capacity | Up to 8 dismounted troops[1](https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/11jun19_fs/) |
## Development
The vehicle began as the Next Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle (NGAFV) program.
DSTA's development team adopted a model-based systems engineering approach, which allowed better visualization and engineering analysis during design and technical reviews without costly and time-consuming physical prototypes. The team also used 3D modeling extensively throughout development, a first for the Singapore Army.[4](https://www.dsta.gov.sg/what-we-do/detail?category=e&title=hunter-on-the-prowl)
## Commissioning and service
The Hunter was commissioned by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on 11 June 2019 at the Armour Formation's 50th anniversary parade at Sungei Gedong Camp.[5](https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/MINDEF_20190611001.pdf) In service, the Hunter operates alongside the Army's other armor assets, the Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank, the Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle, and the Bronco All-Terrain Tracked Carrier.[3](https://defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/armed-for-our-5e0ple)
## Armament and protection
The Hunter's Remote Controlled Weapon Station carries a 30mm cannon firing armor-piercing and high-explosive ammunition, a 7.62mm coaxial machine gun, and a 76mm smoke grenade launcher; selected variants also carry an anti-tank guided missile.[1](https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/11jun19_fs/) The turret is an unmanned Rafael Samson mounting a 30mm Mk44 autocannon with [Spike](https://www.edgepedia.org/spike-missile) missiles.[2](https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2024/06/asian-pacific-armoured-vehicles-requirements-and-fielding/)
According to Jane's, the Hunter is the [Singapore Armed Forces](https://www.edgepedia.org/singapore-armed-forces)' first armored combat platform equipped with an anti-tank guided missile capability.[6](https://www.janes.com/defence-intelligence-insights/defence-news/singapores-next-generation-hunter-armoured-fighting-vehicle-breaks-cover)
## Digitalisation and networking
The Hunter carries a suite of C4 systems, which the Army identifies as the basis of its networked warfighting capability: the vehicle can fight alongside other platforms in the Singapore Armed Forces while providing its crew greater firepower, protection, mobility, and situational awareness.[1](https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/11jun19_fs/) • [3](https://defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/armed-for-our-5e0ple) • [4](https://www.dsta.gov.sg/what-we-do/detail?category=e&title=hunter-on-the-prowl) The vehicle also carries 360-degree remote surveillance.[2](https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2024/06/asian-pacific-armoured-vehicles-requirements-and-fielding/)
## Mobility
The Hunter is a tracked vehicle powered by an MTU 8V-199 diesel engine producing 720 hp, driving through an HMX300 hydro-mechanical transmission with integrated controls.[2](https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2024/06/asian-pacific-armoured-vehicles-requirements-and-fielding/)
## References
1. [Fact Sheet: Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle, Ministry of Defence, Singapore (11 June 2019)](https://www.mindef.gov.sg/news-and-events/latest-releases/11jun19_fs/)
2. [Asian-Pacific Armoured Vehicles - Requirements and Fielding, Asian Military Review (2024)](https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2024/06/asian-pacific-armoured-vehicles-requirements-and-fielding/)
3. [Armed for Our People, Defence Pioneer](https://defencepioneer.sg/pioneer-articles/armed-for-our-5e0ple)
4. [Hunter on the Prowl, DSTA](https://www.dsta.gov.sg/what-we-do/detail?category=e&title=hunter-on-the-prowl)
5. [Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle Commissioned at Armour's 50th Anniversary Parade, National Archives of Singapore](https://www.nas.gov.sg/archivesonline/data/pdfdoc/MINDEF_20190611001.pdf)
6. [Singapore's next-generation Hunter armoured fighting vehicle breaks cover, Janes](https://www.janes.com/defence-intelligence-insights/defence-news/singapores-next-generation-hunter-armoured-fighting-vehicle-breaks-cover)
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*Topic: Encyclopedia › Technology and the built world › Transport and spaceflight › Road transport › Automobiles*
*Initially written Sep 17, 2026 · Reviewed: Oct 15, 2026 · Edited: Oct 15, 2026; Oct 25, 2026 · Last review: Oct 15, 2026*
*Copyright 2026 EdgeChat AI, a subsidiary of Biostate AI.*
License: Edgepedia Community License 1.0, https://www.edgepedia.org/edgepedia/license