[size=1.4][size=1.4]The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has revealed the first images of its newly delivered MBDA Aster 30 SAMP/T (Sol-Air Moyenne Portée Terrestre, or surface-to-air medium range/land) self-propelled surface-to-air missile (SAM) system. The first sighting of the missile system appeared in a video hosted on the service’s Facebook page and accessed by Jane’s on 29 March, but it has since been removed.
[size=1.4]The Aster 30 SAMP/T will replace the RSAF’s heavily modified but ageing Raytheon MIM-23B Improved Homing All the Way Killer (I-HAWK) missile systems operated by 163 Squadron, which entered service in the early 1980s.
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Singapore has unveiled the first images of its new Aster 30 SAMP/T ground-based air defence system, which was leaked in an air force promotional video. The video has since been removed. (Republic of Singapore Air Force)
[size=1.4]“The RSAF has taken delivery of the Aster 30 missile system,” a Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) spokesperson told Jane’s in a 29 March statement.
[size=1.4]“The system is currently undergoing local testing and integration into our enhanced Island Air Defence (IAD) system,” the spokesperson added. “When operational, the Aster 30 will enhance the RSAF’s overall air defence capabilities to protect Singapore against a wide spectrum of air threats.”
[size=1.4]Singapore’s interest in the Aster 30 missile system was revealed in September 2013, when defence minister Dr Ng Eng Hen announced that it was selected as a medium-range air defence system to supplement the shorter-range Rafael Advanced Defense Systems Surface-to-Air PYthon and DERby (SPYDER) system, which was delivered in 2012.
[size=1.4]MINDEF did not provide further details of its acquisition, but the Aster 30 SAMP/T system is understood to comprise a ground launcher system which includes four truck-mounted vertical launchers, with an option for up to six vertical launchers. Each mobile launcher carries a launcher module carrying eight Aster 30 missiles, and can fire all eight missiles in less than 10 seconds. The launcher can be quickly rearmed once its missiles have been expended.
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Rear view of the Aster 30 launcher unit, which carries eight ready-to-fire Aster 30 missiles. The launcher can be quickly rearmed, a necessary feature given that it can expend all eight missiles in less than 10 seconds. The image was captured from a promotional video which has since been removed. (Republic of Singapore Air Force)
[size=1.4]According to Jane’s Land Warfare Platforms: Artillery & Air Defence , the Aster 30 missile is a two-stage kinetic kill effector fitted with an active seeker with an interception range of approximately 100 km against threats operating at altitudes up to 20,000 m, although the MINDEF earlier stated a maximum interception range of 70 km against aircraft-sized targets.
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