SINGAPORE — The nine Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICVs) that were detained by Hong Kong customs have been checked and will be deployed for training, said the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in a Facebook post late on Monday (Feb 6).


“The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) has completed the serviceability checks and maintenance of our Terrex Infantry Carrier Vehicles (ICVs) and other equipment that were shipped back on 30 Jan 17. The ICVs and equipment will be deployed for training shortly,” the SAF added.


However, the post gave no details as to whether these nine Terrexes would continue to be used for overseas training.

The armoured vehicles were seized in Hong Kong on Nov 23 while en route to Singapore from Taiwan, where they took part in routine training.


The SAF gave no details either on the results of their checks. TODAY has reached out to the Ministry of Defence with queries.


The decision to deploy the nine previously seized Terrexes came a week after they arrived back in Singapore. 


The ICVs and other equipment arrived in Singapore last Monday (Jan 30) at 2.40pm, after being detained by Hong Kong Customs for about two months.
Hong Kong’s Commissioner of Customs and Excise Roy Tang said the vehicles had been seized because “there was a suspected breach of the Hong Kong law”, adding that its investigation might lead to criminal prosecution.


The Hong Kong Customs has not responded to TODAY’s queries on when or whether it will pursue criminal prosecution, or against which party.


In the wake of the incident, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said that the SAF has reviewed shipping procedures “comprehensively” to reduce the risk of equipment being “taken hostage en route” in future.