Trials of the first Tiger 40 hovercraft started in Singapore at the end of 1986. Produced under a joint venture agreement, the craft was designed by Air Vehicles and built, with assistance from AVL personnel, by Singapore Shipbuilding and Engineering. The Tiger 40 has also been configured for a para-military role. The craft has a well deck and loading ramp large enough to take a Land Rover, but full-cabin commercial versions carrying up to 40 passengers are also available. As would be expected, the design incorporates many of the features already seen on the Air Vehicles Tiger 12 and Tiger 16.