Bionix AFV
The Bionix (BX) is a family of tracked Singaporean armoured fighting vehicles developed by ST Kinetics (formerly Singapore Technologies Automotive, which is now known as Singapore Technologies Engineering). Intended to augment the Singapore Army's aging M113 armoured personnel carriers, it is the first indigenous armoured vehicle to be developed in Southeast Asia. The Bionix has been operational with the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) since 1999 in a wide variety of adaptations including the Bionix II, Bionix 25 and Bionix 40/50 variants.
| Bionix Infantry Fighting Vehicle | |
|---|---|
Bionix II IFV at the 2008 Singapore Airshow. | |
| Type | Infantry fighting vehicle |
| Place of origin | Singapore |
| Service history | |
| In service | 1997 – present |
| Used by | Singapore Army |
| Production history | |
| Designer | ST Kinetics |
| Designed | 1988 |
| Manufacturer | ST Kinetics |
| Produced | 1996 – present |
| No. built | 800 |
| Variants | See variants |
| Specifications | |
| Mass | Combat weight: 23 tonnes (25 short tons; 23 long tons) |
| Length | 5.9 metres (19 ft 4 in) |
| Width | 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in) |
| Height | 2.6 m (8 ft 6 in) |
| Crew | 3 (Commander, Gunner, Driver) plus 7 combat troops (2 men turret version) 9 combat troops (40/50 version) |
| Armor | MEXAS-M |
Main armament | Bionix 25: M242 Bushmaster 25 mm Cannon Bionix II: Mk44 Bushmaster II 30 mm Cannon |
Secondary armament | 7.62×51mm NATO Commander's MG 7.62×51mm NATO Coaxial MG 7.62×51mm NATO Trooper Compartment Side Mounted GMPG |
| Engine | Detroit Diesel 6V 92TA 475 horsepower (354 kW) 550 hp (410 kW) with Turbo-charge |
| Power/weight | 20 hp/tonne |
| Suspension | Hydropneumatic suspension |
Operational range | 400 km (250 mi) |
| Maximum speed | 70 km/h (43 mph) |
Aside from domestic use, ST Kinetics has been marketing the Bionix to countries that wish to retire their old M113s from front-line service.
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