After unveiling its Ground Deployed Advanced Mortar System (GDAMS) at the DSEI 2023 exhibition in London, Singaporean defence company ST Engineering continues to develop and test this mortar system. Meanwhile, a decision over whether the Singapore Army’s new Titan 8×8 infantry fighting vehicle will be an ST Engineering platform is yet to be made.
The GDAMS is a vehicle-mounted mortar system that is compatible with most 4×4 vehicles, such as Toyota pickup trucks. Furthermore, it can accommodate any type of 120mm mortar barrel, or even an 81mm one if desired. Importantly, this means militaries can utilise mortars already in their inventory.
ST Engineering plans to complete qualification testing of the GDAMS later this year.
Chua Jin Kiat, Head of International Defence Business at ST Engineering, identified four differentiating characteristics of this mortar system.
Firstly, it has a “unique design where the firing forces are directed into the ground, allowing seamless integration into any 4×4 platform”. It has been tested on vehicles such as a Mitsubishi L200 4×4 pickup, Toyota Land Cruiser 6×6 and Supacat 4×4/6×6 HMTs, for instance. As long as the vehicle can carry its 700kg mass, the GDAMS should be able to be fitted.
Next, it is “fully digitised with auto-laying of the mortar system that can be integrated into the battle management system of users”. Its digital fire control system derives from the Super Rapid Advanced Mortar System (SRAMS) used by the Singapore Army.
Thirdly, the GDAMS is rapidly deployable. ST Engineering claims it can be deployed and stowed within 15 seconds for quick scoot-and-shoot missions. The Ukraine War has underlined the critical nature of speedy arrivals and departures. GDAMS is also light enough to be inserted by helicopter, plus it is ideal for special forces operations.
Finally, Chua highlighted the GDAMS’s patented blast diffuser technology for enhanced troop safety. The system, which uses an all-electric drive system, offers an elevation range of 45°-80°, plus it has a 90° traversing range.
The GDAMS can operate with a crew of two – the commander and loader – although an additional loader could also be added. The only comparable mortar systems in the world emanate from Spanish and Israeli companies.
Chua told Asian Military Review, “We’ve received many enquiries for the GDAMS from our markets of interest, including Europe and the Middle East where there are existing requirements, e.g. the 81mm/120mm mortar requirements in UK and the mortar replacement requirements in the UAE.”
He added, “The GDAMS is currently in the final phases of qualification firing trials with prospective customers.” AMR understands that trials of the vehicle-agnostic GDAMS have already occurred in South Africa, Thailand and the UK.
ST Engineering also signed a memorandum of understanding with International Golden Group (IGG), part of the Edge Group, for potential sale to the UAE.
Referring to the GDAMS concept, Chua noted, “ST Engineering has been focused on applying technology to innovate and deliver solutions that meet the growing requirements of customers for more manoeuvre-centric warfare, enhanced fires capabilities, platform digitalisation and secured communications solutions.”
Returning to the Titan 8×8 armoured vehicle destined for the Singapore Army, its planned procurement was announced by Singapore Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen on 3 March.
Asked about the Titan, the country’s Ministry of Defence told AMR, “We have no further information on the Titan IFV beyond what has been shared during the minister’s speech at the Committee of Supply 2025 debates. We will release more information on the Titan IFV at a later stage.”
Although some commentators have assumed the Titan is connected to ST Engineering’s 35-tonne Terrex s5 8×8 platform, it is AMR’s understanding that the army’s selection of a base vehicle has not yet occurred.
by Gordon Arthur, Abu Dhabi
