Fact Sheet for Defence Tech Prize 2026 Award Ceremony

Defence Technology Prize 2026 Individual (Research & Development) Award Winner

DR. LEONG YOKE CHOY VINCENT

DSO NATIONAL LABORATORIES

CITATION

Dr. Leong Yoke Choy Vincent, Distinguished Member of Technical Staff from DSO National Laboratories, has played a pivotal role in building Singapore's indigenous capabilities in the design and development of field-proven Radio Frequency (RF) transmitters for Synthetic Aperture Radar (SAR) and Electronic Warfare (EW) applications. 

Over the course of his career, he has advanced critical RF transmitter technologies and built up deep local expertise in High Power Amplifier (HPA) modelling and design, enabling the development of high-performance systems tailored to MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces' operational needs. A key achievement was the successful development of an operational microsatellite transmitter that was half the size of comparable commercial systems while meeting stringent performance requirements. His contributions have significantly enhanced the resilience of critical RF transmitter components against potential supply chain disruptions. In recognition of his outstanding achievements and contributions, Dr Leong is awarded the Defence Technology Prize 2026 Individual (Research & Development) Award.

AWARDS 

DTP Team (R&D) Award – Monolithic Microwave Integrated Circuit Research & Development Team, 2007

Defence Technology Prize 2026 Team (Engineering) Award Winner

V60 Maritime UAV TEAM

DSO National Laboratories, Defence Science and Technology Agency, Republic of Singapore Navy, ST Engineering

CITATION

The Veloce 60 (V60) Team has been awarded the Defence Technology Prize 2026 Team (Engineering) Award for developing the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) first indigenous Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). This breakthrough provides a transformative maritime surveillance capability for the Singapore Armed Forces.

The V60 is a shipborne Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) UAV designed to autonomously launch and recover from moving naval platforms, even in challenging Sea State 3 conditions. With a best-in-class endurance of 12 to 14 hours and a 100km secure datalink, it enables persistent, real-time surveillance and extends situational awareness beyond the horizon. Seamless integration with RSN combat management systems ensures a common operating picture across the fleet.

A collaborative effort between DSO, DSTA, RSN, and ST Engineering, the project strengthens Singapore’s indigenous expertise in autonomous systems and maritime aviation, bolstering long-term technological resilience and national security. In recognition of the team’s outstanding achievement and contributions, it is awarded the DTP 2026 Team (Engineering) Award.

Defence Technology Prize 2026 Team (Engineering) Award Winner

MULTI-ROLE TANKER TRANSPORT (MRTT) TEAM

Defence Science and Technology Agency, Republic of Singapore Air Force

CITATION

The Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) Team, comprising personnel from DSTA and RSAF, partnered Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus DS) to deliver the next generation tanker and transport capability for the RSAF. This improved the RSAF’s operational efficiency, effectiveness and safety for air-to-air refuelling and Humanitarian Assistance & Disaster Relief missions.  Through close collaboration with Airbus DS, the team had successfully certified and operationalized the first-of-its-kind Automatic Air-to-Air Refuelling (A3R) capability on the RSAF A330 MRTT for refuelling with various RSAF aircraft under both day and night conditions. Singapore also became the first operator to fly the MRTT with a streamlined crew of three, achieving manpower savings and paving the way for wider adoption amongst other MRTT users. 

These achievements demonstrate the team’s ability to translate operational needs into pioneering solutions, and worked with a leading global aerospace company to establish new benchmarks in aerial refuelling. In recognition of the team’s outstanding achievement and contributions, it is awarded the DTP 2026 Team (Engineering) Award.

More Resources

Defence Engineers and Scientists Honoured for Excellence and Innovation in Defence Technology

Speech by Minister for Defence, Mr Chan Chun Sing, at The Defence Technology Prize Award Ceremony 2026 on 6 Nov 2026 at DSO National Laboratories