July 31, 2026:
The Singapore Navy is now using composites for superstructures of its new MRCV\Multi-Role Combat Vessel warships. Composites, as opposed to metal, are lighter, less visible to radar, and have reduced lifetime expenses.
Over a thousand ships a day traverse this seaway. To help with that, last year a local Singapore shipyard launched Victory, the first of six locally built, 8,000-ton Victory-class MRCV. A second MRCV is under construction. Meanwhile, since earlier this year, components for their third and fourth ships are being manufactured and assembled. These ships are armed with 32 VLS/Vertical Launch System cells containing Aster and Mica VL surface-to-air missiles, a 76mm gun, and two remotely controlled 30mm autocannons. The helicopter deck and hangar contain a Seahawk manned helicopter and two smaller unmanned helicopter drones. Electronics include a sea/air search radar and a hull-mounted sonar. Anti-submarine weapons consist of lightweight torpedoes launched from the helicopter and/or from several of the VLS cells. MRCVs are designed to function as Motherships for a range of unmanned systems. With an operational range exceeding 12,000 kilometers and an endurance of over 21 days, the MRCVs enable the RSN (Republic of Singapore Navy to deploy several types of drones to protect Singapore’s SLOC/Sea Lines of Communications.
Surface, submerged, and aerial drones deployed from the MRCVs will work together to expand the ship's surveillance and operational reach across air, surface, and underwater domains. This enables one MRCV, with its fleet of unmanned technologies, to complete missions which would currently need multiple manned warships. Each 8,000 ton MRCV is 150 meters long and 21 meters wide. Top speed is more than 40 kilometers an hour. Range is more than 12,000 kilometers. Crew size is variable but never exceeds 100 personnel.
Singapore, an island city-state in Southeast Asia, is responsible for the security of the 223-kilometer-long, 19-kilometer-wide Singapore Strait, which connects the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea. Singapore is a 736-square-kilometer island with a population of 6 million and a GDP of $565 billion. That comes out to about $94,000 per capita, the fourth highest in the world. The military consists of 51,000 active-duty personnel and 252,000 reservists. Israel helped Singapore establish its armed forces and supplied personnel to help train personnel. Israel continues to sell weapons to Singapore.