Singapore to develop and build new 10,000-ton Multi-Role Combat Vessel

A CGI of the planned Multi-Role Combat Vessel for the RSN. Photo c/o DSTA.

Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) has started preparations in developing and building a new class of 10,000-tonne Multi-Role Combat Vessels (MRCV) to replace its ageing Victory-class corvettes from 2028 onwards.

DSTA signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Sweden’s Saab, as part of the sidelines of the Singapore Defence Technology Summit on 22 March 2023.

As part of the MOU between DSTA and Saab, both parties will co-develop and design the new Multi-Role Combat Vessels for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), and will include the development of technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) and data analytics to meet requirements for high digitalization of the new ships.

Saab will also provide technical assistance by providing work attachment and internship to Singaporeans with regards to surface ship design, naval and digital technology, repair of composite structures, radar overhaul, and other technical competencies.

In a separate announcement, Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) confirmed that its subsidiary ST Marine Engineering Ltd has been awarded a contract by the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) for the detailed design and construction of six Multi-Role Combat Vessels for the RSN.

Defense media outlet Naval News reported that Saab will be acting as the project’s prime contractor, and the project will use the Iver Huitfeldt / Absalon-class design from Denmark’s Odense Maritime Technology (OMT).

Naval News reported that that the ships are expected to have a displacement of around 10,000 tons at full load, and will be equipped with an advanced electric propulsion system, and could be equipped with the Thales Sea Fire radar, MBDA ASTER and VL Mica surface-to-air missiles, and will be designed to use mission containerized modules.

The ships are also designed to act as motherships for smaller manned and unmanned surface, subsurface, and air systems, with a wide spectrum of missions to maximize combat effectiveness.

Once in service with the RSN, these new MRCVs could become the largest surface combatants of any navy in Southeast Asia.




[1] Singapore Defence Science and Technology Agency
[2[ Naval News
[3] Shephard Media