NDP tank that hit traffic light: MINDEF says technical fault was the first in its Leopard 2SG fleet
This was the first time the Singapore Army had experienced such a technical fault in its Leopard 2SG Main Battle Tank (L2SG) fleet, MINDEF said in a media release on Friday (Jul 11).
"All Mobile Column assets, including the L2SGs, undergo thorough checks before deployment. No issues were detected for the affected L2SG before it moved out," it added.
"Comprehensive checks performed across the L2SG fleet since the incident have determined that it was an isolated one."
The affected tank was part of the Mobile Column segment for NDP.
With the cause of the incident identified and rectified, and additional precautions taken, the L2SGs will resume their participation in this year's NDP, said MINDEF.
WHAT HAPPENED
The incident had occurred as the tank was turning towards North Bridge Road within the cordoned area, said MINDEF.
The investigation found that an internal component within the transmission – specifically the conduit for the transmission fluid to the service brake – had malfunctioned, it said.
This resulted in a loss of transmission oil pressure, causing the tank to experience a partial loss in its steering and braking power in the service brake, it added.
The tank operator, a full-time national serviceman, responded with the appropriate standard operating procedure, and activated the parking brake to bring the affected tank to a stop, said MINDEF.
RENK GmbH, the transmission's original equipment manufacturer, also indicated that this malfunction was previously unknown, the ministry said.
The manufacturer will work with the Singapore Army on a maintenance regime for the affected component to prevent reoccurrence, it added.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CNA
5 hours ago
- CNA
Air India CEO cautions against 'premature conclusions' as fuel switch mystery deepens
A preliminary probe into last month's deadly Air India crash found no mechanical or maintenance issues with the Boeing 787-8 Dreamliner. Air India CEO Campbell Wilson has cautioned against "premature conclusions". In an internal memo, he noted that all required maintenance for the aircraft was carried out. An initial report revealed both of the plane's engine fuel cutoff switches had flipped seconds after take-off, cutting power to the engines. Some experts said the switches can only be moved deliberately and manually, but at least two pilot associations have rejected suggestions of pilot error. Neha Poonia reports from New Delhi.
Independent Singapore
7 hours ago
- Independent Singapore
First JB-SG RTS Link train begins off-site systems integration testing at SRTC
JOHOR BAHRU/SINGAPORE: The first train set for the Johor Bahru–Singapore Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link has rolled in for testing at the Singapore Rail Test Centre (SRTC), marking a 'very interesting phase' for the long-awaited cross-border service, said Malaysia's Transport Minister Anthony Loke. Train 01 undergoes testing in Singapore Singapore's acting Transport Minister Jeffrey Siow and Malaysia's Transport Minister Loke jointly unveiled the RTS Link Train 01 during a ceremony at the SRTC. The train, which arrived in April, is currently undergoing off-site systems integration testing, The Star reported. Over the next few months, RTS Operations Pte Ltd (RTSO), a joint venture between RTS Operations Sdn Bhd and SMRT RTS Pte Ltd, will run checks to make sure the train works smoothly with key rail systems such as signalling, platform screen doors, and onboard communications. According to RTSO chairman Datuk Khairil Anwar Ahmad, the purpose of these off-site tests is to catch and fix any potential issues before moving to on-track testing. He said this phase is expected to be completed by the fourth quarter of the year, with Train 01 set to begin dynamic testing alongside the rest of the fleet after that. Mr Khairil Anwar said trains 02 to 05 are still being assembled in Batu Gajah, Perak. The remaining three trains, 06, 07, and 08, will follow suit for production. Once completed, all eight trains will be transferred to the Wadi Hana Depot in Johor Bahru for final tests and preparations before commissioning for passenger service. Malaysia Rapid Transit System Bhd (MRTS) subsidiary MRT Corp, which oversees the Malaysian section, said dynamic testing of the RTS Link train system is set for May 2026, as per the terms of the bilateral agreement. This will involve operating the train along the full alignment from Wadi Hana Depot through to the stations. Train design and features The four-car train, manufactured by CRRC Zhuzhou Locomotive Co Ltd, is the first of eight planned for the RTS Link. It features a white body with red and blue accents, reflecting the colours of the Malaysian, Johor, and Singapore flags. Each train set is 76.4 metres long and can carry up to 1,087 passengers, making it possible to move 10,000 people per hour in each direction. Inside, the train is fitted with a dynamic route map display, hopper windows for fresh air during emergencies, a wheelchair area, and a hearing induction loop to support hearing aid users during service announcements. Construction progress on both sides of the border Meanwhile, construction continues to make steady progress on both ends of the Causeway. According to RTSO, rail system works are now about 56% complete. Since late 2024, infrastructure companies from both Malaysia and Singapore have been gradually handing over civil structures to support ongoing works. This includes laying the RTS Link tracks from Wadi Hana Depot through Bukit Chagar station and across to Woodlands North station in Singapore. Other works include the installation of signalling, communications, integrated supervisory control, and traction power supply systems. MRT Corp said key structural works for the Marine Viaduct, Wadi Hana Depot, and Bukit Chagar Station were completed as of end-May. Interior works at the depot are now 80% finished and targeted for completion by October. The roof facade is being installed at Bukit Chagar Station. The Customs, Immigration and Quarantine (CIQ) complex is also 90% structurally complete, with interior work at 45% and facade installation expected to start in September. See also Boom in JB real estate as RTS Link is above 50% complete Looking ahead: RTS Link fares, operation schedule, and economic impact Minister Loke said the project had faced delays after a change in the Malaysian government in 2018 but was pushed through after many rounds of negotiations. He called the RTS Link a 'game-changer' for daily commuters and said the rail line would play a big role in supporting the Johor–Singapore Special Economic Zone. 'With another 18 months to go, we are now entering a very interesting phase of this project,' Minister Loke said. 'It is about reducing congestion, saving time, and connecting people more seamlessly than ever before,' he added. Acting Transport Minister Siow echoed this, noting that the RTS Link is meant to create 'more choices and convenience' for travellers. In end-June, RTS Link operators said they were in the final stages of deciding fares for the cross-border service. Trains are expected to run daily from 6 a.m. to midnight once operations begin, although Minister Loke noted that the operator is also considering adjusting these hours, as some commuters start crossing the border before 5 a.m. /TISG Read also: SG-JB KTM train to cease operations 6 months after new '6 minutes' RTS link starts running in 2027
Independent Singapore
2 days ago
- Independent Singapore
COE problem solved: Singaporeans can now own their dream car and park it in Johor Bahru, and even keep the car forever!
MALAYSIA: Ever fantasised about owning a Porsche or a Lamborghini, but your bank account keeps waking you up? Well, Singaporeans rejoice! You can now turn that dream into a four-wheeled reality — in Johor Bahru (JB). Thanks to a clever new venture, as reported by the Malay Mail , Carlogy Malaysia, a one-stop automotive lifestyle hub in Skudai that's rewriting the rules of car ownership for Singaporeans, car enthusiasts from across the Causeway can now buy, park, and pamper their prized vehicles, minus the dreaded Certificate of Entitlement (COE) price tag. Yes, you read that right: You can now own a car in Malaysia as a Singaporean and actually keep it for good. Dream cars without the dream-crushing COE In Singapore, owning a car isn't just a purchase — it's a privilege wrapped in bureaucracy and priced like a landed property. No thanks to the COE system, every car on the road comes with a 10-year expiry date, and the right to own that vehicle can cost well over S$100,000! That's more than the downpayment for a build-to-order (BTO) flat — and you don't even get to keep the car forever, but in Malaysia, the keys, the papers, the engine purr — it's all yours, permanently! Enter Carlogy: The pit stop for luxury and lifestyle At the heart of this smart motoring revolution are co-founders Heeraj Sharma and Regis Tia, who've turned their shared love of performance cars into a thriving cross-border business. Photo: TT/@carlogyy Located in Skudai — the sweet midpoint between Woodlands Checkpoint and Tuas Second Link — Carlogy Malaysia is like a five-star resort for cars. Think of it as your car's private man cave, complete with 24/7 security, air-conditioned storage, detailing services, and even a café for when you drop by for a weekend joyride. And you can even livestream your car via real-time CCTV from anywhere. Because what's the point of owning a Porsche or a Lamborghini if you can't lovingly stare at it during Zoom meetings, right? RM1,000 (S$290) for peace of mind? Sign us up! Storage isn't free, but it's far from the prices in Singapore. For RM700 (S$200) a month, you get standard storage. For RM1,000 (S$290), your vehicle rests in cool, air-conditioned luxury. That's still pocket change compared to what you'd pay in Singapore for just the parking lot. Photo: TT/@carlogyy And that doesn't even include the joy of not having your car ownership expire like an unlucky Tinder match after 10 years. Foreigners welcome (just don't bring your toys home) Now for the fine print: Yes, Singaporeans can own Malaysian-registered cars. The only catch is that you can't drive them back into Singapore. Singapore's Land Transport Authority strictly prohibits citizens, permanent residents, and long-term pass holders from using foreign-registered vehicles in the city-state, but for weekend drives, road trips, or track days up north, Johor and beyond are your personal playground. See also You can buy 4 Toyotas in the US for the price of a COE in SG Heeraj says that recreational driving in Malaysia is exciting — there's so much to explore, and we can't agree more, having experienced the Malaysian roads ourselves, from winding highlands to coastal highways. From paint jobs to paint protection film, they've got you covered Carlogy isn't just a parking lot with a fancy roof. It's a full-on auto spa and lifestyle centre. Need a wax? A full body wrap? Custom tint? Spray paint? Performance tuning? Or a full concierge service to send your car to your hotel in JB? Done, done, and done! Photo: TT/@carlogyy Regis Tia, who also hails from Singapore, said the business grew organically from Instagram, where fellow enthusiasts quickly caught wind of the idea. 'We provide such a service to avoid our customers, who are mainly Singaporeans, from being ripped off. Basically, Carlogy Malaysia provides car enthusiasts with a seamless experience from selection to purchase and driving,' the Malay Mail quoted him as saying. Community of car lovers, not just customers Carlogy's clientele is growing fast, with over 80 customers, mostly from Singapore, and they're not just buying Hondas — we're talking about BMWs, Porsches, and serious horsepower here. More than a service, Carlogy is becoming a lifestyle brand for a new generation of cross-border gearheads. 'Being car enthusiasts ourselves, we want to make it possible to ensure that our customers thoroughly enjoy the driving experience and leave the hassle of maintenance to us,' Tia added. Timing is everything — and Johor is heating up With the Johor-Singapore Special Economic Zone in the works and the Rapid Transit System (RTS) Link set to supercharge cross-border travel, Carlogy's timing is impeccable. As development on both sides of the Causeway ramps up, Heeraj and Tia are betting that more Singaporeans will see car ownership in Malaysia not just as a lifestyle choice, but a smart, financially sound one. So, who's this for? If you're a Singaporean who's ever groaned at the cost of car ownership or fantasised about a weekend ride without the fear of depreciation or COE renewal, Carlogy might just be your new favourite escape route. Photo: TT/@carlogyy And if you're thinking, 'But I don't need a Porsche or a Lambo,' don't worry — this isn't just about flexing. It's about passion, freedom, and finally being able to say, 'Yes, I own that car — and I get to keep it!' To find out more, head over to Carlogy's Instagram page @ or TikTok @carlogyy and prepare to be tempted by some very shiny things.
