enough to be air-lifted by a C-130 Hercules plane. It eventually lost the competition to the LAV III Stryker proposed by General Dynamics Land Systems (GDLS) and GM Defense. Bionix Light Tank - Stemming from a need to replace/augment the current fleet of AMX-13 SM1 light tanks, MINDEF and United Defense conducted a series of studies to mount the Thunderbolt Armoured Gun System's 120 mm cannon turret (and alternatively, 105mm) on a variety of chassis, namely an extended Bionix chassis, the Universal Combat Vehicle Platform (which the SSPH Primus was based on) and a variant of the Thunderbolt's chassis. Early extensive attempts to mount an Oto Melara 120 mm turret on the Bionix have been unsuccessful. Singapore has since procured refurbished Leopard 2A4 MBTs. Production models Bionix 25 - First production model. Armed with 25mm Bushmaster cannon turret and 2 x 7.62mm GPMG. The first Bionix 25 production vehicles were completed in September 1997 and, under the Phase I production contract awarded to Singapore Technologies Automotive. Production continued until 2001. A total of 300 were built for the SAF. Bionix 40/50 - Variant with Cupola mounted 40mm AGL/0.5-inch HMG twin weapon station and 7.62mm GPMG. Can accommodate up to 11 troops. Approx. 300 were built. Bionix II - At the turn of the century, the Bionix design received an upgrade, resulting in the creation of the Bionix II; jointly developed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and Singapore Technologies Engineering. The main turret was upgraded to the 30 mm Bushmaster II cannon and armour was improved. The new cannon has 50% greater armor penetration, while the upgraded armour has 50% greater protection against kinetic or shaped charge warheads. The incorporation of a digital Battlefield Management System has allowed the Bionix II to maintain a higher competency in functionality and survivability by interfacing in real time and sharing information with other linked assets such other army units of the Singapore Army with those of the Air Force and Navy, thereby giving a better all round tactical and situation awareness. The Bionix II has an improved day / night thermal sighting system (DNTSS) with a dual-axis stabilisation system for enhanced target tracking, and an integrated eye-safe laser rangefinder has a range of up to 3 km. Upgrades also include minefield protection and enhancements to the 30mm cannon. About 200 were built for the SAF. Bionix ARV - Armoured Recovery Vehicle