IMDEX 2025: Singapore to arm naval ships with Strales gun system amid proliferation of drones

The 72/62 Strales gun system. Singapore has disclosed plans to arm its naval vessels with the system. (OTO Melara SpA)

Amid a rise in the threat posed by unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will equip its naval vessels with the Leonardo 76 mm/62 Super Rapid Strales gun.

The matter was confirmed by Singapore's Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat in a written statement that was sent to Janes on 9 May.

He was responding to a series of questions posed by the media ahead of the IMDEX 2025 exhibition that ran from 6 to 8 May at the Changi Exhibition Centre in Singapore.

In his reply, Rear Adm Wat pointed to the proliferation of unmanned technologies as a development that requires “innovative and practical solutions”.

To counter the threats posed by these systems, the RSN will be progressively arming its ships with the Strales gun that “have been proven to be effective against fast-moving air and surface targets”, said the rear admiral.

“This also offers a cost-effective solution as compared to other conventional weapons such as higher-end missiles. We are also exploring other solutions,” he added.

The Strales system can be supplied as a new unit or integrated into in-service 76/62 gun mounts. It utilises the DART low-drag subcalibre guided projectile, which features a programmable proximity fuze and a canard-wing control unit to intercept fast-moving surface and aerial threats.

Singapore utilises the 76 mm gun mount on its major surface combatants.

While not mentioned by Rear Adm Wat, Janes