Singapore launches its 8th and final Independence-class Littoral Missions Vessel

Launching of RSS Fearless at ST Marine's Benoi Shipyard. Photo c/o Republic of Singapore Navy

Singapore shipbuilder ST Engineering Marine launched the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) 8th and final Independence-class Littoral Missions Vessel (LMV), the RSS Fearless (22) last 26 January 2018 at their Benoi Shipyard.

No date has been given yet on when the ship would be commissioned with the RSN, although at leasr 2 other ships of the class that were launched earlier are still being prepared for commissioning. Currently the RSN operates 5 ships of the class.

The Independence-class LMV was designed to replace the Fearless-class patrol vessels, several of which were already retired from service. It was designed by Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) in cooperation with Saab Kockums AB and ST Engineering Marine with technology derived from Saab's FLEXpatrol multi-mission patrol vessel.

The new LMV features several improvements over the Fearless-class, being larger, has greater range and endurance, and can be immediately configured for different naval mission profiles. It is 80 meters long, displaces at 1,200 tons, has a maximum speed of  27 knots and range of 3,000 nautical miles. It is armed with an Oto Melara 76mm Compact naval gun, a 25mm Mk. 38 Mod.2 Typhoon RCWS, two 12.7mm Oto Melara Hitrole RCWS, and a 12-cell VLS for MBDA VL-MICA ait defense system.



[1] Singapore Ministry of Defence
[2] Naval Technology