CHRISTCHURCH, New Zealand
In Christchurch, New Zealand, Chan Chun Sing, the Defense Minister of Singapore, recently introduced a groundbreaking class of warships for the Singapore Navy, during its launch event this week. He drew an interesting comparison between the new warship and the iconic fictional starship, Battlestar Galactica.
Chan described the warship as not merely a vessel, but as a platform integrated with artificial intelligence, essentially serving as a “brain that evolves,” he explained. The warship, named the Victory, weighs 8,000 tons and stands as the largest surface combatant in the history of Singapore’s navy.
The Victory, a 492-foot long Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV), is the first in a planned series of six such ships. It was launched at the ST Engineering’s Benoi shipyard in Singapore on October 21. Post-launch, it will move to the Gul yard for additional outfitting, integration, and the necessary sea trials.
Secured under a contract with ST Engineering in March 2023, the MRCV melds the capabilities of a frigate with those of a “mothership” that supports various unmanned systems, whether they operate in the air, on the surface of the sea, or beneath it.
Chan likened the operational concept of the MRCV to that seen in science fiction movies. He emphasized the flexibility of the vessel’s drone and unmanned surface vessel capacity, which can be adapted as mission requirements evolve, thus also extending the capabilities of the ship’s weapon systems.
Chan highlighted that a single MRCV, with its array of unmanned systems, could perform the functions of several manned warships, thereby enhancing operational efficiency.
The MRCV fleet, expected to be fully delivered by 2028, will replace the six 595-ton Victory-class missile corvettes that have been in service since the 1990s. The new ships will inherit the names of the older corvettes they replace.
Designed for extended range, the MRCVs will have a capability of 7,000 nautical miles. Each ship includes a mission bay that can hold up to eight 20-foot containers, allowing for rapid role changes from combat missions to disaster relief efforts.
The warship features a stern equipped with a loading and recovery system for smaller boats and unmanned vessels, and a crane on the flank for similar purposes. The stern also houses a large flight deck for drones and a medium-sized helicopter.
The armament of the warship includes a Leonardo Strales 76mm naval gun, two Rafael Typhoon MK 30-c remote-controlled weapon stations, and an array of missiles for different defense scenarios, though specific details about the anti-ship missiles remain unconfirmed.
Technological innovations are pivotal in these ships, reducing the required crew size to under 100 sailors. In critical situations, the bridge of the ship can be operated by just two crew members.
Chan acknowledged the lengthy process of getting the ship and its specifications approved, stating the need for a vessel that can adapt to evolving operational demands. “This is the new way that we have to operate and fight in the future,” he affirmed.
ST Engineering’s shipbuilding initiative also includes collaboration with Sweden-based Saab, which provided the ship design and is responsible for assembling the composite superstructure elements.
Lars Kaddik from Saab Kockums noted that the carbon fiber composite used in construction is about 50% lighter than steel, offers corrosion resistance, enhances stealth capabilities, provides better insulation, and reduces the top weight on the ship, improving stability.
Saab has already started producing superstructure panels in Singapore and is looking to extend this model of international cooperation to other regions. The collaboration between Saab and ST Engineering is also promoting the sale of Singapore’s 1,200-ton littoral mission vessel to Estonia.
For a nation with just six million people, Singapore’s navy is impressively equipped. Once the current building programs are completed, the fleet will include six Type 218SG submarines, six MRCVs, six frigates, eight littoral mission vessels, four landing ships, and numerous smaller vessels.
Chan reflected on the evolving role of the navy, from defending near shores to securing extended strategic lines of communication. “We need new capabilities … to defend and secure our sea lines of communication, to ensure no one with ill intent can disrupt our daily lives,” he stated, highlighting the strategic importance of Singapore’s location on the Singapore Strait, a critical maritime passage used by over 100,000 vessels annually.
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Jamal Peterson reports on defense, aerospace, and tech policy. With a military background and a strategic mind, he dissects complex subjects with clarity, offering readers sharp, reliable insights.
