21-5-2024 (SINGAPORE) Singaporean enlistees embarking on their national service may soon find themselves entrusted with a new ‘baby’ to care for – the Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR), a light machine gun that has been progressively introduced since April 24th.
In a Facebook post on Monday (May 21), the Singapore Army officially unveiled the Colt IAR, a replacement for the venerable Section Automatic Weapon (SAW) Ultimax 100, a homegrown firearm manufactured by ST Engineering that has been in service since 1982.
Procured in partnership with the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), the Army highlighted the enhanced lethality, improved ergonomics, and customization options offered by the Colt IAR, designed to better meet the evolving needs of Singaporean soldiers.
A series of photos shared on social media showcased the key features that soldiers can expect from the new weapon, contrasting it with its long-serving predecessor. “It is a closed-bolt rifle with many features that provide enhanced lethality, improved ergonomics, and customization to better suit the needs of our soldiers,” the Army stated.
Among the notable improvements is the ambidextrous fire control, accessible from both sides of the weapon, allowing left and right-handed soldiers to operate it with greater ease. Additionally, the IAR boasts a pairing of a red dot sight with a three-times magnifier scope, a customizable foregrip, and an adjustable buttstock, as well as four modes of Laser Aiming Device tailored for different combat scenarios.
Crucially, the Colt IAR’s length is 17 percent shorter than the SAW Ultimax 100, enhancing maneuverability in tight spaces and making it well-suited for close-quarter combat in urban environments, according to the Army’s assessment.
The Facebook unveiling has garnered over 1,300 reactions, with many netizens praising the new weapon’s features as a significant improvement over its predecessor. “An exciting change from the SAW that has been around for so long,” one commenter remarked, while another added, “About time. The SAW was such an unreliable weapon for me.”
