ST Engineering Unveil Next Generation Small Arms

Earlier this week at the Singapore Airshow 2024, Singapore state-affiliated defense company ST Engineering displayed their next generation small arms for the first time. The Next Generation Singapore Assault and Ultimax 100 Mk 9 were unveiled as potential future replacements for the SAR 21 and 5.56x45mm Ultimax machine guns currently in Singaporean service.

The bullpup Next Generation Singapore Assault Rifle or Next Gen SAR is chambered in 5.56×45, has an overall length of between 67 and 81cm, depending on configuration and weighs around 4kg. The weapon was displayed with an array of configurable parts including optics, furniture, and muzzle devices to emphasise the new rifle’s modularity – something the older SAR 21 lacks. The weapon can mount a 40mm grenade launcher and can also be configured as a ‘sharpshooter’, equipped with an advanced fire-control system.

Information on the next generation ST Engineering weapons is scarce, the company’s website describes the Next Generation Singapore Assault Rifle as:

“Evolved from SAR 21, the Next Gen SAR offers the advantages of the bullpup rifle, retaining its compactness and size for maneuverability as well as a closer centre of gravity for superior control. It integrates familiar assault rifle features, as well as new ergonomic enhancements like ambidextrous ejection and an adjustable buttstock.”

Details of the latest iteration of the Ultimax 100 series are also lacking but intriguingly ST Engineering’s website features images of two configurations, a traditional layout belt-fed and a magazine-fed bullpup (similar to the Next Gen SAR), the site describes the Mk 9 Ultimax:

“The new Ultimax 100 Mk 9 features dual feed capability, accepting both 5.56mm STANAG magazines and 5.56mm M27 ammunition belts. With its low-felt recoil, it offers enhanced controllability, enabling highly accurate suppressive fire while conserving ammunition. The Ultimax 100 Mk 9 also features a quick-change barrel for extended sustained firing.”

According to ST Engineering the Ultimax Mk 9 weighs approximately 6kg, has a barrel length of 45.7cm and a overall length of just over 1m with its stock fully extended. The Mk 9 Ultimax’s ability to feed from a box magazine may have been developed in response to Singapore’s reported interest in the Colt IAR.

Photographs courtesy of Gavin Lim, thanks also to Nick Chen.