50 YEARS OF STEADFAST MARITIME DEFENCE

A navy that is admired at home and respected beyond our shores.

This was Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong's tribute to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) on its 50th anniversary, in recognition of its steadfast and dedicated service to Singapore's maritime defence over half a century.

Noting Singapore's historical position as a trading port, PM Lee highlighted the RSN's crucial role in keeping the nation's sea lines of communication safe and open.

"Because we traded with the world, and the sea was and still is our lifeline, we needed a strong maritime force to protect our sovereignty, defend us from seaborne threats, and keep trade - our lifeblood - flowing."

PM Lee was addressing some 1,700 guests at the Navy Day celebrations on 5 May at Changi Naval Base. Among them were former Chiefs of Navy, former and current servicemen and women as well as pioneers, many of whom had joined the fledgling Navy in the 1950s as volunteers.

One such pioneer was 2nd Warrant Officer (2WO) (Ret) Osman bin Abdullah. The 86-year-old was an Engineer Technician and Volunteer Reserve in the Malayan Navy Volunteer Reserve and Singapore Naval Volunteer Reserve.

"I'm very proud to see the Navy grow to what it is today," said 2WO (Ret) Osman. "Last time, (we had) only wooden boats. When we went for training, people called us a 'toy navy'. Now you can see that the 'toy navy' is coming up," he added, beaming.

During the event, PM Lee commissioned the first-of-class Littoral Mission Vessel RSS Independence, the RSN's newest warship. He also presented the Commissioning Warrant to Commanding Officer Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Tay Choong Hern.

Launched in July 2015, RSS Independence's commissioning signalled its induction into the service of the RSN as a fully operational warship. It will begin its role in a wide spectrum of operations, including patrolling Singapore's waters, as its predecessors, the Patrol Craft and Patrol Vessel Independence, did.

"It is therefore apt that she is named RSS Independence - it is a significant and historic name," said PM Lee.

"Significant because protecting Singapore's independence has always been a core mission of the RSN. (And) historic because the name 'Independence' carries the legacy and spirit of the Navy's pioneers, starting from the first RSS Independence, the Patrol Craft which played a key role during the Laju ferry hijacking in 1974."

The Navy Day commemoration also marks the start of RSN50, a series of events to celebrate the Navy's Golden Jubilee.

To kickstart the celebrations, PM Lee launched and signed the RSN50 Commemorative Book. Titled, "A Maritime Force for a Maritime Nation - Celebrating 50 Years of the Navy", the book documents the RSN's history and pays tribute to the generations of servicemen and women who had helped to build and uphold Singapore's maritime defence.

PM Lee also launched the RSN50 Doodle Wall by putting in the very first touch of colour. The wall is an art mural depicting Singapore's maritime history and milestones in the RSN's history. It will be displayed at SAFRA Punggol and SAFRA Toa Payoh during the June holidays for the public to colour on.

The RSN50 Time Capsule was also filled up, with the former and current Chiefs of Navy each placing an item. Designed to look like a compartment in an RSN ship, the capsule carried items that represent the Navy's key achievements over the past 50 years. These include a framed poster of the ports-of-call during Sail Navy 2000, a replica of the LMV and a compilation of the aspirations of RSN personnel. The capsule was sealed by PM Lee and will be opened in 2042, on the RSN's 75th anniversary.