RSN capabilities

[koxinga]

More updates from Navalnews. Most of equipment were expected although the combination of Aster and MICA is a first.

• Leonardo’s 76mm naval gun in the STRALES variant;
• MBDA’s VL MICA NG and Aster B1 NT air defence missiles;
• ST Engineering / IAI Blue Spear anti-ship missiles;
• Thales’ SeaFire multifunction radar (in four fixed array configuration as aboard the FDI frigate);
• Safran’s PASEO XLR EO/IR system;
• Safran’s NGDS decoy launching system.

and finally some more reasonable numbers on the displacement.

a displacement of around 8,000 tons and a crew complement of about 80 sailors.

The high degree of automation is needed because of manpower limitations but how that affects crewing and DC is unknown.

Singapore cuts steel on its first Multirole Combat Vessel (MRCV) - Naval News

Singapore’s future class of MRCV took a significant step forward on 8 March, when ST Engineering Marine cut steel on the first of six vessels.

www.navalnews.com

 

[pugimel]

More updates from Navalnews. Most of equipment were expected although the combination of Aster and MICA is a first.

• Leonardo’s 76mm naval gun in the STRALES variant;
• MBDA’s VL MICA NG and Aster B1 NT air defence missiles;
• ST Engineering / IAI Blue Spear anti-ship missiles;
• Thales’ SeaFire multifunction radar (in four fixed array configuration as aboard the FDI frigate);
• Safran’s PASEO XLR EO/IR system;
• Safran’s NGDS decoy launching system.

and finally some more reasonable numbers on the displacement.

a displacement of around 8,000 tons and a crew complement of about 80 sailors.

The high degree of automation is needed because of manpower limitations but how that affects crewing and DC is unknown.

Singapore cuts steel on its first Multirole Combat Vessel (MRCV) - Naval News

Singapore’s future class of MRCV took a significant step forward on 8 March, when ST Engineering Marine cut steel on the first of six vessels.

www.navalnews.com

Is the displacement 8,000 or 10,000 tons?

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

On 22 April 2024, the fourth submarine in the Type 218SG construction program was named at the HDW/Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems shipyard in Kiel.
The air-independent propulsion system gives the boats a long underwater endurance. With a length of about 70 metres and a displacement of around 2,000 tonnes, they will be larger than the Malaysian Scorpènes, similar in size with the future Indonesian Scorpènes and smaller than the Vietnamese Project 636. The Type 218SG submarines are also currently the largest submarines ever built at HDW.

TKMS launches the fourth Invincible-class (Type 218SG) submarine for Singapore - Naval News

On 22 April 2024, the fourth submarine in the Type 218SG construction program was named at the Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems shipyard in Kiel.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Ananda]

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/1785950409800003828

NG officially will conduct MLU FOR RSN 6 Formidable Frigate with ST Engineering. Even with new Frigates coming to SEA region including Arrowhead 140 and PPA with Indonesian Navy, Formidable Frigates still consider leading Frigate in the region. This even before conducting MLU.

 

[swerve]

The RSN has acquired the former Beachy Head Point-class Ro-Ro, re-named MV Mentor. Nice to see another navy appreciating her, after the MoD decided the UK had no need for her.

I saw this article & thought "That ship looks familiar", so did a little looking.
Singapore Navy receives new RO/RO civil resource ship | Shephard

Scroll down for history - MENTOR, Ro-Ro Cargo Ship - Details and current position - IMO 9234094 - VesselFinder

 

[Ananda]

Singapore's first-of-class Type 218SG submarine arrives home

The first-of-class Type 218SG diesel-electric submarine (SSK) on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has arrived home.

www.janes.com

Couple days old, eventough all four Type 218SG allready been launch, but the first of the class of those four just arrive to Singapore waters. Quite prolong training in German waters. Perhaps covid have influence on that, still I suspect more on familiarization regime as first of the class.

Still bit curious why the long training regime, as the second Submarine already arrive last year in Singapore waters.

 

[koxinga]

Well then, this clears up the air on the providence of the design. It is indeed an OMT + Saab hybrid with a displacement of 8000 tons. That OMT has a enlarged Iver design isn't a surprise but Saab being able to match that is interesting.

The new information is the power train will be diesel based, Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP). This will be the first for any South East Asia navy.

DSTA Reveals Origins of Singapore's MRCV - Naval News

The Republic of Singapore Navy's future Multi Role Combat Vessels (MRCV) are based on a fusion of designs from Sweden and Denmark.

www.navalnews.com

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Singapore...congratulations!
Singapore commissions two advanced submarines (youtube.com)
It is not clear when the third and fourth boats, Illustrious and Inimitable, are expected to be commissioned.

 

[Ananda]

Fassmer held steel cutting ceremony for Singapore new OPV - Naval News

Fassmer and its partner Western Baltic Shipyard launched construction of the first of four Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Republic of Singapore Navy

www.navalnews.com

Fassmer begin their production for Singaporean Navy (RSN) new OPV. The design base on German Police 80m patrol boat.

 

[Ananda]

Singapore Lays Keel of First Multi-Role Combat Vessel - Naval News

The MRCV keel laying marks a major milestone in the construction of the Republic of Singapore Navy's first of six "drone motherships".

www.navalnews.com

Singapore Engineering (ST) Marine Division put ceremony on keel laying of first MRCV. This Multirore Combat Vessel in my taking can be call Frigate+ as maintain frigate capabilities but also act as drone mothership to conduct multirole functions.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Janes reports that Singapore will procure two more Invincible (Type 218SG)-class diesel-electric submarines.

In addition, Singapore has begun evaluating options for a new type of maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), a next-generation infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), and new munitions for its High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

Singapore to procure two more Type 218SG submarines

Singapore will procure two more Invincible (Type 218SG)-class diesel-electric submarines (SSKs), the country's Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen disclosed in a...

www.janes.com

 

[76mmGuns]

Janes reports that Singapore will procure two more Invincible (Type 218SG)-class diesel-electric submarines.

In addition, Singapore has begun evaluating options for a new type of maritime patrol aircraft (MPA), a next-generation infantry fighting vehicle (IFV), and new munitions for its High-Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).

Singapore to procure two more Type 218SG submarines

Singapore will procure two more Invincible (Type 218SG)-class diesel-electric submarines (SSKs), the country's Minister of Defence Ng Eng Hen disclosed in a...

www.janes.com

Surprised SG is keeping such a tight lid on the specs. I'm quite interested to see them.

 

[Ananda]

Singapore orders two additional Type 218SG submarines to TKMS - Naval News

TKMS has announced the signing of a contract with Singapore's DSTA for the acquisition of two additional Type 218SG submarines.

www.navalnews.com

In Imdex this year Singapore put additional order aditional 218SG. Make the total order to 6 Submarine. For me it is not surprising as right now Singapore also have or used to operate 6 ex Swedish Submarine.

 

[Sandhi Yudha]

Singapore orders two additional Type 218SG submarines to TKMS - Naval News

TKMS has announced the signing of a contract with Singapore's DSTA for the acquisition of two additional Type 218SG submarines.

www.navalnews.com

In Imdex this year Singapore put additional order aditional 218SG. Make the total order to 6 Submarine. For me it is not surprising as right now Singapore also have or used to operate 6 ex Swedish Submarine.

I think this is the right decision, the two Västergötland Class boats are almost 40 years old.

Singapore's ST Engineering has unveiled the fast interception vessel (FIV), a new fast interception craft. Is this design created to replace the last four Fearless/Sentinel Class of patrolboats, or is this more for the export market?

IMDEX 2025: ST Engineering unveils new fast interception craft

Singapore's ST Engineering has unveiled a new fast interception craft (FIC) aimed at addressing the market for platforms that can carry out high-speed interdiction...

www.janes.com

 

[koxinga]

Fassmer held steel cutting ceremony for Singapore new OPV - Naval News

Fassmer and its partner Western Baltic Shipyard launched construction of the first of four Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) for the Republic of Singapore Navy

www.navalnews.com

Fassmer begin their production for Singaporean Navy (RSN) new OPV. The design base on German Police 80m patrol boat.

Fassmer OPV90 Mk II Revealed At IMDEX Asia 2025

German Shipbuilder Fassmer Defence this week presented a new patrol vessel dubbed the OPV90 Mk II at IMDEX Asia 2025 in Singapore.

www.navalnews.com

Fassmer shared the OPV90 Mk II design at the recently concluded IMDEX2025 in Singapore. The containerised mission modules amidship is an interesting option/design choice as most of the time, they are stern mounted. The hull bracings indicate they expect hull-to-hull bumper car scenarios.

 

[kato]

The containerised mission modules amidship is an interesting option/design choice as most of the time, they are stern mounted.

That's basically just replacing the hangar that is in that position as a fixed module in other variants. probably also where the comparative lengthening comes into play.

What's interesting is that the OPV90 Mk II is entirely missing the side boat bays for ready boats that other variants have and also does not show any mounting of such boats in other places on the model. Would pretty much make it a non-starter in Europe. From a quick look it seems Singapore generally does not use ready boats though.

 

[koxinga]

Ready boats are deployed from the Littoral Mission Vessels via stern ramps.

What is interesting is these new OPVs sit under their Maritime Security Command (MARSEC Command), which are a set of fleets/capabilities separated from their warfighting capabilities (principal combatants such as frigates) with a mission statement to conduct maritime security operations and protect our naval bases and key maritime-facing installations.

Given Singapore has a separate coast guard arm (PCG) under the Singapore Force Police (constabulary), the setup of MARSEC/MSTF seems to target or provide a more calibrated response towards gray zone type missions, where a coast guard might be too lightly armed, and the Navy will be too overt.

 

[Ananda]

Xavier on IMDEX at SAAB booth where SAAB people explain on the Composite Superstructure that they are preparing for Singapore Tech MRCV. This is evolution from previous Composite Superstructure that they are building for ST LMV.

There are also short video shown MRCV with 4x8 VLS modules. Thus with Formidable Frigates basically Singapore Navy Will have 12 Frigates size vessels with 32 cells (I presume) Sylver VLS each, plus 8 LMV with 12 VL MICA cells each. This is quite a number of VLS that RSN going to provide.

The region navy are adding VLS equip vessel, but I don't see other will catch up soon on numbers of VLS.