The vehicle, developed by Singapore Technologies Kinetics Ltd., was designed to enhance battlefield mobility, said Defence Minister Tony Tan.

"The superior mobility will afford our army a distinct advanctage, for in today's battlefield manoeuvrability is critical to mission success," he said, describing the vehicle as one of the most advanced of its kind in the world.

A defence department statement said the All-Terrain Tracked Carriercould be employed in a wide range of combat missions.

"With ground pressure as light as a human footprint and its ability to swim, the ATTC can transport troops and equipment over soft muddy ground and difficult terrain impassable to other vehicles," the statement said.

Tiny but affluent Singapore spends up to six percent of gross domestic product on defence, and has regularly expressed concern that regional turmoil has exposed its vulnerability to outside forces despite its own stability.

It has developed one of the most modern armed forces in Asia, and gained international recognition for its home-developed FH 2000 artillery gun, Endurance Class landing ship tank, Bionix infantry fighting vehicle and SAR 21 assault rifle.

At the age of 18, all able-bodied Singaporean males must enlist for two years of full-time national service, and they are called back for up to 40 days training each year until they reach the age of 40 or 50 depending on their rank.