Artillery dominates the battlefield by harnessing the full suite of sensors and precision fire systems in the SAF, thereby earning the title, “King of the Battlefield”. As masters of deadly precision, they shape and pave the way for our manoeuvre forces.
The Artillery formation plays a crucial role on the battlefield, raining destructive blows to neutralise enemy forces in a concerted barrage of fire, while supporting the manoeuvre force in accomplishing mission success. Accurate and effective, the formation demonstrates the fearsome power of precision warfare, neutralising enemy forces through coordinated strikes. With the use of the state-of-the-art rocket and weapon systems, the Artillery gunners are fully capable of bringing the battle deep into the enemy lines.
Officers
As leaders of the Artillery, Officers of the formation are responsible for the planning, strategizing and realisation of the artillery’s full firepower and warfighting capabilities.
Officers in the Artillery will master their leadership abilities through the command of men as well as mentor the future leaders of the Artillery. Through the shaping of our formation, officers will enjoy a dignified career full of challenging and enriching opportunities, developing them into leaders of excellence.
Warrant Officers & Specialists
Warrant Officers and Specialists are the backbone of Artillery’s operational and training capabilities, responsible for the regimentation and discipline of the Artillery’s batteries.
Warrant Officers & Specialist in the Artillery will hone their tactical warfighting, training expertise, and direct leadership abilities in a career that is as rewarding as it is challenging.
Specialisation
Gunners in the HIMARS, SSPH, Singapore Light-Weight Howitzer, or Field Howitzer 2000 Battery are entrusted with the responsibility in maintaining and operating state-of-the-art Artillery weapon systems that can deliver precision fire.
Gunners in the STrike ObserveR Mission (STORM) Battery will be involved in coordinating air strikes and artillery fires to deliver maximum damage to enemies in the target area.
Gunners in the Field Artillery Target Acquisition Battery will be involved in operating and maintaining a wide range of radars designed to locate enemy artillery, to provide early warning to our forces or opportunities to deliver counter-attacks on enemy artillery forces.
Gunners in the Field Artillery Meteorological System section specialises in providing timely and accurate atmospheric data, such as wind speed and direction, to increase the accuracy of our artillery fires.
Role
The High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) provides artillery forces with precision fire power, enhanced responsiveness, mobility and protection. The Guided MLRS M31 Unitary rockets uses 227mm surface-to-surface. With its inertial guided and Global Positioning System-aided weapon system, the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS)’s guided MLRS M31 Unitary rockets deliver lethal and precise fires.
Role
The Singapore Self-Propelled Howitzer 1 Primus (SSPH Primus 1) is a 155mm, 39 calibre tracked-based, self-propelled Howitzer designed to dominate the battlefield. Fusing the range and firepower of the artillery, with the protection, speed and manoeuvrability of armoured vehicles, the Primus is a highly accurate, mobile artillery platform that will bolster the fighting capabilities of our Combined Arms Divisional forces.
Role
The Singapore Light-Weight Howitzer (SLWH) Pegasus is a 39 calibre 155mm heli-portable Howitzer designed for long range fire support with self-propelled capabilities. Weighing only 5.4 tons, the SLWH Pegasus is made of lightweight material able to withstand enemy firepower. With its heli-portable abilities, the SLWH Pegasus excels in mobility, firepower and battlefield survivability.
Role
The FH2000 is a 52 calibre 155m Field Howitzer designed for long range fire support with self-propelled capabilities. With the ability to fire 6 rounds per minute, the FH2000 boasts performance in firepower, battlefield survivability and system availability. It can fire all NATO Type Classified ammunition.
Role
The SAFARI Weapon Location System that is able to locate mortar and artillery fire of ranges up to 40km and rocket fire of up to 60km respectively. The mission of the SAFARI is to detect and locate enemy mortars and artillery rounds quickly, providing responsive and accurate targeting data to our shooters to engage these threats. The SAFARI boasts a 90% location probability with the ability to track up to 10 targets simultaneously, making it an invaluable asset in enhancing the ability to defend Singapore against current and emerging enemy threats.
Role
The Artillery Hunting Radar (ARTHUR) is a Weapon Location Radar that uses radar to locate artillery fire and mortars of up to a range of 40km. The primary mission of the ARTHUR radar is to detect and locate enemy mortars and artillery rounds quickly and accurately for immediate engagement. With the mobility to track up to 100 rounds per minute and 8 targets simultaneously, ARTHUR forces any enemy mobile artillery system to redeploy constantly, rendering them ineffective.
Role
The AN / TPQ36 is a Weapon Locating Radar designed for automatic first-round location of weapons firing projectile-type rounds. The primary mission of AN / TPQ36 radar is to determine and locate enemy mortars and artillery rounds quickly and accurately for immediate engagement. Its secondary mission is to perform friendly registrations and adjustment of fire.
Role
The AN / TPQ37 radar is a Long Range Weapon Locating Radar designed for automatic first-round location of weapons fire projectiles-type rounds. The primary mission of AN / TPQ37 radar is to detect and locate enemy mortars and artillery rounds quickly and accurately for immediate engagement. Its secondary mission is to perform friendly registrations and adjustment of fire.
The Singapore Volunteer Artillery was formed on 22 February 1888, marking the humble beginnings of the Singapore Artillery formation.
Following the abrupt independence of Singapore, a strong and credible military became one of Singapore’s priority. In 1967, then Defence Minister Goh Keng Swee tasked a young CPT M S Gill with the responsibility of building up the Artillery. Its doctrine was developed based on operational concepts, local terrain and selected training values.
Within a few months, on 1 June 1967, 20 People’s Defence Force (Arty) was redesigned as 20 SAB (Singapore Artillery Battalion). It was assigned to operate the 120mm Light Tampella Mortar and units were equipped with it in the 1970s. By 1978, the ARTC was established as the Artillery Reserve Administrative was no longer able to meet the training requirements of the reservists.
Since 1988, the Singapore Artillery has undergone rapid modernisation in training, operations and weapons development. From the gun-howitzer, FH-88 guns, to the SAFARI weapon locating radar, many weapons have been designed and developed, through the combined efforts of ST Kinetics and Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), to allow the units to be more efficient and effective.
From 2007 to 2013, the Singapore Artillery contributed to Singapore’s peacekeeping efforts led by the United Nations, where 492 men and radar-locating weapons were deployed to restore stability to Afghanistan.