The Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicle (ICV) is an armoured fighting vehicle (AFV) developed by ST Engineering of Singapore and Timoney Technology of Ireland, and produced by ST Engineering Land Systems (a corporate subsidiary of ST Engineering) for the Singapore Army as well as by Turkish auto-maker Otokar (manufacturing it under a license) as the Yavuz (AV-82) for the Turkish military.
The Terrex's mass is approximately 25 to 30 tonnes and the vehicle is built on an 8x8 wheeler chassis with modern military vehicle armour. Multiple-type weapon platforms are supported on the vehicle, including both remote-type weapon systems and overhead weapon stations (OWSs).
ST Engineering Land Systems is marketing the Terrex to potential buyers in Asia, South America and the Middle East.
Production history and development
The Terrex project started off as a government funded project to help develop a new generation of armoured personnel carriers for the Singapore Armed Forces. Singapore Technologies Kinetics, a subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Engineering, was chosen to design and manufacture the vehicle. The prototype Terrex AV81 armoured fighting vehicle was exhibited for the first time at DSEi 2001. The initial AV-81 design utilised conventional coil-spring shock absorbers but later variants introduced of hydro-pneumatic struts with real-time damping control. An electric-hybrid drive system was also developed. Designed with a modular protection system it is one of the latest and most advanced APCs with an all round protection against 7.62 mm NATO rounds and artillery shell splinters, front arc withstands 12.7 mm armor piercing-rounds at the most basic armor package. Ceramic-composite armor package are available for a higher level of protection. Maximum level of all-round protection is against 14.5 mm armor-piercing rounds. The vehicle has a double V-shaped hull, which deflects mine blasts and withstand up to 12 kg TNT explosion under the hull with the vehicle still able to move. Vehicle is fitted with NBC protection system and battlefield management system for better awareness.
Terrex AV81 APC variant is armed with a remotely controlled 40 mm automatic grenade launcher and coaxial 7.62 mm machine gun. Its modular top-deck system means it can be fitted with remotely-controlled 12.7 mm machine gun, 20–30 mm cannon or anti-tank guided missile to a 105 mm cannon. This armored vehicle is also available in various turret-mounted armament configurations, but number of personnel carried is reduced. The Terrex can be airlifted by a C-130 Hercules or similar cargo aircraft.
By mid-2004, one prototype and one pre-production model had been built and both were evaluated throughout Asia and Europe, where the vehicle was offered for a number of emerging wheeled armoured vehicle requirements. This was further influenced by the emerging United States' Interim Brigade Combat Team (IBCT) concept, which called for the need of wheeled armoured fighting vehicles (AFV) as opposed to tracked AFVs.
The Singapore Armed Forces will acquire at least 135 Terrex ICVs to replace its V-200 armoured vehicles, with all active Infantry and Guards battalions to begin training to operate from the vehicle in February 2010. The Second Battalion, Singapore Infantry Regiment, recently acquired the Terrex as part of its shift into a motorised infantry battalion. The Indonesian Army has plans to purchase 420 units and has also expressed intent to produce the Terrex locally under license. Turkish automaker Otokar has also joined with ST Engineering Land Systems to produce the Terrex AV-82 (renamed Yavuz) for the Turkish Armed Forces.
Terrex AV-82
The Terrex AV-82 (Turkish Otokar variant) was developed in 2005 equipped with a more advanced driveline and hydro-pneumatic suspension system, and a number of changes from the AV81 including a flat underbody instead of a V-shaped hull, and revised rear suspension.
Terrex 2: MPC/ACV
In August 2012, the U.S. Marine Corps awarded SAIC a developmental contract for the Terrex for the Marine Personnel Carrier program.