The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), Singapore-based shipbuilder ST Engineering Marine laid the keel for the Navy’s first Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) on 22 October 2024. The announcement, made through the RSN’s official social media channels, marks a key milestone in Singapore’s effort to bolster its naval capabilities in an increasingly complex maritime environment.
According to the RSN, the first MRCV is slated to enter service by 2028, heralding a new era of advanced maritime operations. These vessels will play a pivotal role in the Navy’s evolving fleet composition, particularly with their ability to function as ‘motherships’ for unmanned systems. The MRCVs are set to replace the aging Victory-class missile corvettes, enhancing the Navy’s versatility in both peacetime and wartime missions.
The MRCVs are designed to perform a wide array of roles in the Republic of Singapore Navy’s operations, ranging from maritime security to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions. The vessel’s modular design, which allows for interchangeable mission-specific modules, gives it the flexibility to adapt to a wide spectrum of tasks. According to the RSN’s statement, the MRCVs are conceived with the capacity to operate unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), and unmanned underwater vehicles (UUVs). This capability aligns with global naval trends towards reducing crew requirements while increasing operational reach through unmanned systems.
“We are excited to see the keel laying of the first MRCV, a crucial step in ensuring the future readiness of the RSN,” the RSN noted in their statement. “These vessels will form the backbone of our naval operations in the coming decades, designed to operate in a networked environment where unmanned systems play a central role.”
The MRCV program benefits from a collaboration with Swedish defense firm Saab and Denmark’s Odense Maritime Technology (OMT), who bring their expertise in warship design and systems integration to the table. The ships are based on a modified version of the design for Denmark’s Royal Danish Navy, combining elements of the Absalon-class and Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates. These two classes of vessels are noted for their versatility and their ability to serve both combat and non-combat roles, making them ideal templates for the MRCV.
Saab is also playing a crucial role in integrating six composite superstructures for the vessels. These superstructures incorporate lightweight materials to improve the ship’s overall performance while maintaining the strength and durability required for naval operations. Saab previously provided similar composite structures for Singapore’s Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs), and the collaboration on the MRCV reflects the Navy’s trust in Saab’s advanced naval technology.
Odense Maritime Technology, a company well-known for its expertise in naval architecture, has provided the foundational design elements that are being adapted to meet the RSN’s specific requirements. The Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates, in particular, are renowned for their cost-effectiveness, modularity, and robust combat systems, all of which are core attributes of the new MRCVs.
The partnership with ST Engineering Marine ensures that the MRCVs will not only be built domestically but also maintained locally, securing critical knowledge transfer and technological expertise within Singapore. This capability strengthens Singapore’s self-reliance in defense manufacturing and maintenance, reinforcing its position as a maritime hub in the region.
In March 2023, Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) awarded ST Engineering Marine a contract for the detailed design and construction of six MRCVs. While the contract’s total value remains undisclosed, this deal underlines Singapore’s commitment to investing in its naval forces amidst growing regional tensions and the importance of maintaining a technologically superior maritime presence.
“The MRCVs represent the next evolution in naval warfare,” said a representative from ST Engineering Marine. “The ability to adapt to various mission profiles and operate unmanned systems allows the RSN to stay ahead of emerging threats in the region, while also playing a humanitarian role when required.”
The replacement of the six Victory-class missile corvettes is part of a broader strategic shift towards creating a navy capable of dealing with an expanded range of missions. The MRCVs will be designed to transition seamlessly from peace to wartime roles, reflecting the increasing complexity of maritime security challenges in Southeast Asia. With the South China Sea and surrounding regions becoming hotspots for territorial disputes, illegal fishing, piracy, and other maritime crimes, Singapore’s investment in modular, adaptable vessels positions the country as a key player in regional security.
MINDEF has yet to release the full specifications of the new vessels, but some capabilities can be inferred from the stated goal of deploying unmanned systems. The RSN has already been using 16 m-class USVs designed for mine countermeasures (MCM) and maritime security operations. These USVs could potentially be integrated with the MRCVs, allowing for enhanced flexibility in maritime patrols, search and rescue missions, and underwater operations such as mine detection and clearance.
Furthermore, the deployment of uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAVs) from the MRCVs would enable extended surveillance, reconnaissance, and targeting capabilities, significantly expanding the RSN’s reach without putting personnel at risk. These UAVs can operate in environments that may be too dangerous or difficult for manned aircraft, providing real-time intelligence and tactical data to commanders.
A defining feature of the MRCVs is their modularity, which allows for rapid reconfiguration based on the mission requirements. This modularity can enable the ship to carry different payloads or mission modules, ranging from anti-submarine warfare (ASW) and air defense to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations.
The modular design also provides cost efficiency, as the base platform can be adapted over its service life to accommodate new technologies and emerging mission needs. This is especially important in today’s fast-evolving military technology landscape, where obsolescence can render traditional fixed-role vessels less effective over time. The MRCVs can be continuously upgraded with the latest systems, ensuring they remain operationally relevant for decades.
The ability to deploy and recover unmanned systems—UAVs, USVs, and UUVs—gives the MRCVs a considerable advantage over traditional surface combatants. These systems can operate in tandem with the vessel or independently, providing a force multiplier effect that extends the operational reach of the RSN.
For example, unmanned surface vessels can be deployed to patrol large swaths of the ocean, carrying out surveillance or engaging in mine countermeasures. Unmanned underwater vehicles can be used for submarine detection or to inspect underwater infrastructure such as pipelines and communication cables. UAVs, on the other hand, can conduct long-endurance reconnaissance missions or deliver precision strikes if necessary.
By leveraging these technologies, the RSN can perform a wide array of tasks with fewer personnel and greater efficiency, allowing it to maintain a persistent presence in areas of strategic interest without overextending its resources.
Singapore’s investment in the MRCV program comes at a critical time for Southeast Asia, where territorial disputes and rising competition for maritime resources are putting pressure on regional navies. The South China Sea, in particular, has become a focal point for competing claims, and the increased militarization of this region poses both opportunities and risks for Singapore’s maritime interests.
With the first MRCV expected to be delivered by 2028, the RSN will be well-positioned to meet the challenges of the future. These vessels will not only enhance Singapore’s defense capabilities but also contribute to regional stability by enabling the country to participate in international maritime security efforts, disaster relief missions, and joint naval exercises.
The introduction of these high-tech, modular, and unmanned systems-capable vessels represents a leap forward in the RSN’s ability to project power, respond to emerging threats, and protect Singapore’s sovereignty in an increasingly contested maritime domain.
