The Defence White Paper (DWP) said that the land force's
capacity was "limited due to the extended operational
life of its major combat assets".
"To improve its flexibility across the spectrum
of conflict, including options for contributing to peace
and stability operations, and the ability to protect national
assets and infrastructure, the land force is to be progressively
hardened and its ability to deliver precision firepower
upgraded," the 45-page document launched on Wednesday
said.
Given the Royal Brunei Armed Forces' resolve to increase
its commitment to peacekeeping missions like in Mindanao
and Lebanon, the army was looking for solutions that will
further protect its soldiers deployed in these increasingly
"complex and dangerous environments".
"Introducing an upgraded armoured personnel carrier
capability at company level with the ability to protect
personnel against the range of threats, including improvised
explosive devices, currently being experienced in peace
operations will enhance the nation's ability to contribute
to those collective tasks."
"It will also provide the nucleus for developing
the skills and doctrine for the planned mechanisation
of one of the battalions."
More "potent" short-to-medium range direct
firepower at unit and squadron levels were also planned
for the RBLF.
"To support system commonality, variants of the
mobility armoured personnel carrier will be considered
to replace the existing light tank Scorpion
CVRT," the DWP said.
Industry observers said the RBLF was looking at a mechanised
battalion by as early as 2014.
