TSAMTO, October 23. ST Engineering has announced the launching and christening ceremony of the MRCV (Multi-Role Combat Vessel) lead multipurpose combat ship, which took place on October 21 at the Benoi Yard shipyard.
The new ship, designed for the Singapore Navy, was named Victory.
The MRCV project ship is designed to be used as a floating base for unmanned aerial, surface and underwater systems and should significantly expand the combat capabilities of the Singapore Navy. The modular design will allow the ship to be quickly adapted to perform a wide range of tasks, from conducting combat operations to providing assistance in the aftermath of natural disasters. The ability to deploy container modules, including medical and logistical support, will allow the Navy to flexibly respond to changing threats.
As reported by CAMTO, in March 2023, the Singapore Ministry of Defense signed a contract with Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) for the design and construction of six MRCV multipurpose warships.
The value of the contract was not disclosed. It is planned that six ships of the new class will be delivered starting in 2028. The construction of the platforms will be carried out by the division of ST Engineering Marine Ltd. It is assumed that the MRCV ships will replace the Victory-class missile corvettes, which have been in service since 1990, and whose service life is about to expire. All six ships of the new series will retain the names and tail numbers of the Victory-class corvettes.
Saab and the Danish shipbuilding company Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) became the developers of the basic MRCV project. The concept involves equipping it with artificial intelligence (AI) and data analysis systems. The high level of automation and widespread use of uninhabited vehicles will make it possible to reduce the number of crew without compromising the ship's combat capabilities.
Steel cutting for the construction of the MRCV lead ship began on March 8, 2024. The keel laying took place on October 22, 2024. Construction of the second ship of the series began in April 2025.
The MRCV is the largest and most complex warship ever built in Singapore. Its length is 150 m, width – 21 m, displacement – 8000 tons. The estimated speed is over 22 knots, the range will exceed 7000 nautical miles, and the autonomy is 21 days.
The armament is likely to include: a 76/62 mm Super Rapid Strales artillery system of the Leonardo group, two 30 mm Typhoon Mk 30-C airborne assault rifles, a vertical launch system with VL MICA NG and Aster B1 NT missiles in the bow, as well as Blue Spear anti-ship missile launchers in the middle. The ship will receive a combat control system developed by the Singapore Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).
In addition to helicopters, helicopter-type UAVs will be located on the flight deck and in the hangar. The MRCV will serve as a "mother ship" for remotely operated systems, will be able to transport and use various UAVs and uninhabited surface/underwater vehicles. This will allow one MRCV to perform tasks that previously required multiple types of ships.
