This is the first part of a two part series of Singapore Surface Navy articles, all drawing heavily on very interesting comments made by Benjamin. There is also mention of some Singaporean Army and Airforce equipment.
- the Fleet,
- Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) / Maritime Security (MARSEC) Command
- Maritime Training and Doctrine Command (MTDC)
- Naval Logistics Command (NALCOM)
- Naval Diving Unit (NDU) [which includes special forces] and
- Navy Medical Service
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) consists of six formations- each contributing to naval defence. Those formations are:
- the Fleet,
- Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF) / Maritime Security (MARSEC) Command
- Maritime Training and Doctrine Command (MTDC)
- Naval Logistics Command (NALCOM)
- Naval Diving Unit (NDU) [which includes special forces] and
- Navy Medical Service
Further information on the Navy and ship characteristics are here
I would say it all began with this Youtube interview https://youtu.be/pFwcX4HfgO4 on 2016 which marked Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) day. Singapore’s Defence Minister (since 2011) Dr. Ng Eng Hen holds an interview every year during SAF Day giving updates.. The 2016 interview https://youtu.be/pFwcX4HfgO4was the greatest interview so far based on the number of major announcements. Announcements included:
- the unveiling of the Hunter Armoured Fighting Vehicle (4minutes, 12seconds into Youtube)
- the Belrex Protected Combat Support Vehicle (PCSV) (4m 29s in)
- replacements for the medium lift Super Pumas (4:48) and heavy lift CH-47s (4:59)
- what struck out the most was (6:21 "our LSTs [Endurance class amphibious transport docks] are
aging and need to be replaced by something larger...by a.(the phrase) "Joint Multi Mission
Vessel". It was an unexpected announcement. Perhaps too early for an announcement.
aging and need to be replaced by something larger...by a.(the phrase) "Joint Multi Mission
Vessel". It was an unexpected announcement. Perhaps too early for an announcement.
Mission Vessels (LMVs) would be operational, and indeed with the final 3 of the Independence
LMVs (also see at https://youtu.be/kBzG-2tPkkk ) entering service in February 2020.
Then there was a thought about the very light 500 ton (first launched 1988) Victory Class Missile Corvettes. Those Victories were about a decade older than the [first one launched 1998] Endurance class amphibious transport docks/"LSTs" (6:27) why weren't there any announcements with regards to [decommissioning for the all six active Victory class] corvettes?
Then came the year 2018 and Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen’s speech during SAF Day 2018 https://youtu.be/VkkP83vE6XM was the unveiling of the [2,500 ton?] Multi Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) [variant of the Vanguard 130? 130m long = 2,500 tons?]. Other than that were the Next Generation Howitzer [more details?] and use of unmanned-manned teaming concepts for the services.
With that in mind it would seem that the Navy announced replacements were settled since there were no other ships of class that needed replacements apart from the Bedok Class MCMVminesweeper/mine hunter vessels. Which from what Benjamin knows are intended to be replaced by unmanned platforms alongside manned platforms like the 1,200 ton Independence class Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs) which can conduct mine sweeping/hunting roles as one of its module when needed.
So then came the speculation. What ships to succeed the Endurance class amphibious transport docks/ "LSTs" and Victory Class MCVs (Multi-purpose corvettes?).
So then came the speculation. What ships to succeed the Endurance class amphibious transport docks/ "LSTs" and Victory Class MCVs (Multi-purpose corvettes?).
For the Endurance class amphibious transport docks/ "LST" replacements many were hopping on the Endurance 160 which was revealed by ST Marine back in 2010. Many call it the ideal fit or the pretty obvious choice even though it is now a design revealed 10 years ago. However during IMDEX Asia 2017 an [Pete Comment: a flat top 170m long, maybe 10,000 ton] Endurance 170landing platform dock (LPD) was unveiled and that reinforced the speculation that the 170 could be the replacement. However the Endurance 170 article has downplayed all claims and I couldn't agree more. The "JMMS" [S for ship - or "Joint Multi Mission Vessel" is still far away and there is no commencement of project. As in my view revealing the idea of JMMS back in 2016 was premature. Perhaps they want us to get used to its term?
For the unveiling of the Multi Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) [variant of the Vanguard 130? 130m long = 2,500 tons?] during IMDEX Asia 2019 was quite clear cut in my opinion. I mean the concept is pretty much a match to what the MRCVis supposed to be. [Here the MRCV looks like it may weigh 700+ tons?].
Tomorrow Part Two
Tomorrow Part Two