A key task of the 3rd Battalion of the Singapore Infantry Regiment is to test high-tech new weapons that will transform the military into a modern fighting force that can handle terrorism, a ministry statement said.

"The development of urban operations and the Advanced Combat Man System will be critical," said Army chief Major-General Desmond Kwek.

Weapons details were not released but the Straits Times newspaper said the Advanced Combat Man System would provide infantrymen with sensors allowing them to exchange information and fight the enemy in the dark.

Soldiers could be equipped with wrist-mounted keypads to communicate with each other, while robots could be used to find and attack enemy forces before soldiers move in to finish the job, the newspaper said.

Maj. Gen. Kwek said the changes reflected the army's changing role after the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks in the United States, which prompted security forces worldwide to reassess their strategies and structures.

"The army's mission has extended beyond the preparation for hotwar to include the need to be responsive and ready to deal with a whole new range of missions in peace such as counter-terrorism, low intensity conflict and operations other than war," Kwek said.

"Our combined arms operations, urban fighting and infantry drills need to be reviewed and strengthened with new developments in info-technology, sensors, precision, remote and unmanned technology," he said.

Singapore, a small but affluent city-state, has one of Asia's most modern military forces, backed by reservists with at least two years of mandatory national service, allowing them to be mobilised quickly in case of war.

The defence ministry has 3,000 scientists, engineers and technology specialists involved in research and development to invent solutions that will give the Singapore military an edge in battle.

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