Singapore launched Victory, the first of the 8,000-tonne Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV), the largest surface warship ever built for its navy. speaking at the 21 October ceremony, Singapore Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing drew attention by comparing the 150-metre ship to the famous science fiction series Battlestar Galactica. Minister Chan emphasised that the ship is not only a warship, but also “a ship integrated with artificial intelligence and a developing brain”.
MRCV: “Mother Ship” of Unmanned Fleets
MRCV was developed under a contract signed with ST Engineering in March 2023. The warship combines the capabilities of a frigate with the characteristics of a “mother ship” for unmanned aerial, surface and underwater systems. Stating that this operational concept reminded him of science fiction films, Minister Chan said that the ship will not be limited to having a fixed number of unmanned vehicles, and that the weapon system and capabilities will be developed as the mission set develops.
It is claimed that the MRCV with this unmanned fleet can single-handedly perform tasks that would normally require multiple warships. This means that the Singapore Navy (RSN) can cover a wider range of missions with fewer crew members. As a matter of fact, the ship’s crew requirement has been reduced to less than 100 and the bridge can be operated by only two personnel in case of emergency.
Specifications, Weapons and Delivery Schedule
The MRCVs, codenamedVictory, are designed to have a range of 7,000 nautical miles. A modular mission compartment can carry eight 20-foot containers, allowing the ships to rapidly transition from combat missions to disaster relief. At the stern of the ship is a loading and recovery system that handles unmanned surface vehicles and smaller boats, while the large flight deck is used for UAVs and medium-sized helicopters.
The battleship’s equipment is impressive:
- Cannon: One Leonardo Strales 76 mm naval gun.
- Remote Controlled Weapon Stations: Two Rafael Typhoon MK 30-c.
- Air Defence Missiles: MICA and Aster missiles.
- Anti-Ship Missiles: Although Singapore has not yet made an official statement, it is likely that these are Proteus’ Blue Spear missiles.
The technologically advanced ship utilises a high-voltage electrical distribution system with an integrated all-electric propulsion system that powers sensors and weapons.
Carbon Fibre Design and Strategic Importance
Sweden-based Saab, which is involved in the project together with ST Engineering, is undertaking the ship design. Lars Kaddik of Saab Kockums stated that the carbon fibre used in the composite superstructure elements of the ship is up to P lighter than steel, corrosion resistant and stealthier than its steel counterparts.
The six MRCVs, which will be delivered in 2028, will replace the six 595-tonne Victory-class missile corvettes that have served in the RSN since the 1990s, and the new ships will bear the same names as the corvettes they replace.
Minister Chan noted that Singapore is no longer just defending its near shores, but its strategic lines of communication extend much further afield. He emphasised that these new capabilities are critical to securing the country’s geostrategic position and maritime lines of communication in the Singapore Strait, the country’s vital maritime bottleneck in Southeast Asia.
