Singapore Commences Construction 6 Multi Role Combat Vessels, Each Weighing 8,000 Tons
According to the Republic of Singapore Navy, the first of the six Multi Role Combat Vessels (MRCV) being constructed will be commissioned into the service of the republic's navy in 2028 to replace the Victory-class guided missile corvettes.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — Recently, the Republic of Singapore Navy has initiated the first steps in constructing Multi Role Combat Vessels (MRCV), which are said to be the largest and heaviest warships ever owned by the naval force of the republic.
The MRCV vessels of the Republic of Singapore Navy are reported to have a weight ranging between 8,000 tons to 10,000 tons.
The steel cutting ceremony for these vessels was held on March 8th, attended by the Chief of Navy of the Republic of Singapore, Admiral Sean Wat, and representatives from the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).
DSTA is an agency of the Singapore Ministry of Defence responsible for the construction of Singaporean warships. T
o construct the six MRCV vessels, DSTA collaborates with Saab from Sweden and Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) from Denmark to jointly develop the design of these warships.
According to the Republic of Singapore Navy, the first MRCV vessel of the six being constructed will be commissioned into the service of the republic’s navy by 2028.
These MRCV vessels will replace the Victory-class guided missile corvettes that have been in service since 1989.
“The new MRCV vessels will function as motherships, capable of controlling unmanned assets in the air, on the surface, and underwater,” according to the Republic of Singapore Navy.
Last June, the Singapore Ministry of Defence awarded a contract for the design and construction of six MRCV vessels to the Republic of Singapore Navy.
This contract was awarded to ST Engineering Marine Ltd, a subsidiary of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering).
The six MRCV vessels will be constructed at ST Engineering Marine’s facilities in Singapore, with the warships gradually handed over to the Republic of Singapore Navy starting from 2028.
The MRCV vessels are designed to function as motherships and can operate both manned and unmanned systems in a flexible and integrated manner.
They have the capability to support various missions and maximum combat effectiveness.
As for its weaponry systems, the MRCV vessels to be built by Singapore will be equipped with a 76mm cannon, VL MICA and ASTER air defense systems, as well as the “Blue Spear” anti-ship guided missile developed by Singapore and Israel. — DSA
