NAVY LAUNCHES 1ST MULTI-ROLE COMBAT VESSEL

The Multi-Role Combat Vessel will function as a “mothership” for the command and conduct of unmanned naval operations.

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) launched the first Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) today at the ST Engineering Marine Benoi Shipyard.

Named Victory, it is the first of a fleet of six sister vessels.

The MRCV is designed to function not only as a combat-ready modern frigate, but also as a “mothership” for the conduct of aerial, surface and underwater unmanned naval operations.

This has earned the ship the honour of being named the Singapore Armed Forces’ largest and most complex warship to date.

Speaking at the launch ceremony, Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing highlighted the importance of an ever-evolving Navy in defending our sea lines of communication and sovereignty.

“Going forward, the challenges that we have will be more multi-faceted, more difficult and perhaps more dangerous.

“And that is why we will need new capabilities in the Navy to defend and secure our sea lines of communications, to make sure that no one will disrupt our day to day,” Said Mr Chan.

PIONEER shows you what the new Victory-class MRCV brings to the table!

Huge ship, small crew

Standing at 150m long, the MRCV is the longest vessel in the RSN’s fleet ever (Fun fact: The Endurance-class landing ship tank was the previous record holder at 141m!).

Despite its massive size, the MRCV requires a crew of fewer than 100, as the vessel was designed with advanced automation to increase crew effectiveness and safety.

For example, the bridge can be operated by two crew members instead of five, and the Engineering Control Centre only requires one crew instead of the usual four to monitor the ship’s systems.

Onboard cranes take on the work of loading and unloading supplies, weapons and equipment, while cargo elevators at the mission bays move containers efficiently.

Paying homage to its predecessors

The MRCVs retain not only the class name but also the ship names and pennant numbers of the Victory-class Multi-purpose Corvettes (MCVs) that were first launched in 1988.

The MCV was the first of the RSN’s fleet to have anti-submarines capabilities, representing a giant leap in the Navy’s expansion of capabilities.

As the spiritual successor of the aging MCVs, the MRCV’s will continue to uphold the proud heritage and history of these ships, while striving towards a future-ready Navy equipped with cutting-edge warfighting technology and capabilities.

A world-first versatile vessel

In addition to being a high-end combatant with its plethora of weapon systems – that includes a STRALES 76mm Guided Gun and surface-to-air missile systems, the MRCV will also serve as a mothership for unmanned capabilities.

Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs), Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs), and Autonomous Underwater Vehicles (AUV) can be deployed straight from the MRCV, expanding the surveillance and operational reach of the ship in air, underwater, and on the surface.

With a top speed of 22 knots and an operational range exceeding 7000 nautical miles, the MRCV will enable the RSN to be more efficient in the deployment of its assets, as one ship, with its fleet of unmanned technologies, can execute missions which would require multiple warships today.

“What’s game changing is that the design combines the firepower of a destroyer with the carriage capacity of an unmanned carrier. There's really no vessel like this around the world,” said LTC Karl Su, Commanding Officer (Designate) of MRCV Victory.

Jointly developed by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), DSO, ST Engineering and international partners, the ship reflects the close partnership between the RSN and the Defence Technology Community.

Ms Tan Hui Ling, Senior Programme Manager (Combat Systems Tech Development) Naval Systems Programme Centre at DSTA, explained that she and her team worked closely with the RSN to deliver a vessel that could meet their unique operational requirements.

“My team and I are proud to witness the launch of the first MRCV. As we move on to the next phase of system integration and validation, we will continue to collaborate with the RSN and our partners in safeguarding our seas,” said Ms Tan.

Highly configurable for various mission profiles

The modular design of the MRCV means that it can be reconfigured quickly to meet a wide range of missions.

The eight containerised modules hosted at the mission bay allow the ship to be configured and adapt its capabilities for a range of missions.

For example, if the ship’s onboard medical capabilities are insufficient, the MRCV’s mission bays can accommodate Rapidly Deployable Maritime Containers – also known as “clinic in a shipping container” – to increase its capabilities for humanitarian aid and disaster relief operations.

Explaining the need for the vessel to be modular, LTC Auyong Kok Phai, Deputy Director of the MRCV Project Office, RSN Shipbuilding Group shared: “Warfare is rapidly evolving. It will not be prudent for us to think that we have the right answer up front and so we put a lot of modularity and flexibility into the vessel.”

Forward looking, future ready

The MRCV’s capabilities are cutting-edge by today’s standards, and it’s definitely not resting on its laurels, because the ship is built to allow for significant growth in the future.

The high-voltage electrical distribution system – the MRCV’s “grid – is designed to accommodate future systems which may have higher energy demands.

In addition, the superstructure of the vessel – where the bridge and accommodations are located – is also made from lightweight composite material that provides additional weight margins to accommodate the insertion of new equipment.

“The Navy wanted the new ship to not be a like-for-like replacement for any of our vessels. She needed to be future proof in different areas,” said LTC Auyong.