Bionix AFV The Bionix ( BX ) is a family of tracked Singaporean armoured fighting vehicles developed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics ( formerly Singapore Technologies Automotive , which is now known as Singapore Technologies Engineering ) . Intended to augment the Singapore Army ' s aging M113 armoured personnel carrier s , 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 . Aside from domestic use , ST Kinetics has been marketing the Bionix to countries that wishes to replace their old M113s from front - line service . Production History and Development . Along with the growth and development of the Singapore Armed Forces ( SAF ) during the mid 1980s came a need to bolster ( and eventually replace ) the existing fleet of M113 Armored Personnel Carrier s ( APCs ) . This prompted the Ministry of Defence ( MINDEF ) to source for a fleet of armored vehicles to operate in tandem with the current fleet of AMX - 13 SM1 light tank s . With the participation of the SAF , the Defence Materiel Organisation ( DMO ) , MINDEF ' s systems acquisition house , was appointed to conduct a technology study and recommend the direction for the project . A market survey was conducted in which various armored vehicles including the Warrior Tracked Armoured Vehicle , the M2 / M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle , and the Schützenpanzer Marder were evaluated . The findings from the market survey showed that none of the off - the - shelf vehicles met the specific requirements of the SAF . Therefore , the decision was made to develop a vehicle locally . Local development was necessary not only because of a lack of suitable off - the - shelf designs , but also as an opportunity to build up the capability of the local defense industry . Known as " BIONIX " , the IFV was the product of a tripartite team of engineers and technical staff from Singapore Technologies Automotive , DMO and G5 Army , working jointly with HQ Armour to produce a fighting machine tailored to the specific operational requirements of the Army . Key considerations during the design process included high mobility and agility , low weight , amphibious capability , and adequate protection and firepower . Development of the Bionix began in 1988 . It took several years before leaving the prototyping phase in 1995 and finally being commissioned on 26 March 1997 . ST Automotive was awarded a S $ 2 . 5 billion ( US $ 1 . 7 billion ) contract in March 1997 to supply several hundred Bionix IFVs to the Singapore Armed Forces . The first production vehicles were inducted by the 42nd Battalion , Singapore Armoured Regiment in July 1999 . The Bionix IFV has since been succeeded by the Bionix II , which entered a trial service with the Singapore Armed Forces in 2005 with a Company from 41 SAR . In October 2006 , The Bionix II was declared operational ready with 42 SAR being the first fully equipped Bionix II battalion . The hull and turret are of all - welded - steel construction with modular passive armour protection . Additional armour protection can be installed with an add - on layer of spaced passive armour . The Bionix is a compact design produced to meet the conditions of Pacific rim countries where small size is a great asset when it comes to travelling among rubber plantations and over roads and bridges not designed for heavy vehicles . The power provided by the Detroit Diesel engine to drive its 23 tonnes , ensures the Bionix is able to overcome the most difficult terrain . Future upgrades in power ratings can be developed according to needs . Description . The integrated power pack is mounted to the right of the vehicle and can be removed from the Bionix as a complete unit in under 15 minutes . The engine is coupled to the L - 3 Combat Propulsion Systems HMPT - 500EC fully hydro mechanical transmission , with the final drives being provided by David Brown Defence Systems . The engine compartment is also fitted with an automatic fire detection and dry - powder fire suppression system with a supplementary manual back up . The layout of the Bionix is conventional with the driver at the front left , the power pack situated at the front right and the turret in the center with the troop compartment at the rear . Access to the troop compartment at the rear of the vehicle is by a power - operated ramp , which can operate as an emergency access and exit door . A single hatch is installed over the troop compartment . The driver enters via a roof hatch that opens to the left rear . When driving closed - down , observation is via three day periscopes , while the center periscope can be rapidly replaced by an image - intensification periscope for driving at night . The driver guides the vehicle using a small steering wheel rather than tillers and , as an automatic transmission is fitted , there are just two pedals - accelerator and brake . The instrument panel is mounted on the left , with the transmission selection box on the right . In the turret , the gunner ' s station is on the right and the commander ' s station is on the left , each with a single hatch cover . The turret traverses through 360° . Traverse and weapon elevation is by all - electric digital control . Both the gunner and commander have a turret stop button and are able to lay and fire the weapons . The gunner has the turret control box mounted to the right of his position and both turret - crew members have an adjustable seat . The communications equipment is installed in the turret bustle . The basic production models lacks an in - built air conditioning and NBC protection system , but can be fitted if / when needed . The gunner has a twin - control handles and a day / thermal sight , with a magnification of x8 and two fields of view ( high and low ) , with stadias for the 25mm cannon and 7 . 62mm coaxial machine gun . The commander has an optical relay from the gunner ' s sight and a single control handle . The vehicle commander has a further five day periscopes to give observation to the turret front , left side and rear ; the gunner has three periscopes ( 1 x M17 and 2 x L794D ) to give observation to the right and rear .