There have been recent updates to two major Republic of Singapore (RSN) procurement programs, the Multirole Combat Vessel (MRCV) and the Invincible-class (Type-218SG) AIP SSK.
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| screenshot from Saab video |
Saab announces contract for MRCV composite superstructure.
We've been tracking Singapore’s MRCV project for several years. From speculation in 2020, the project’s official announcement in 2023, to the start of construction in March 2024.
Saab has now announced that it will provide the composite superstructure for the six MRCVs, highlighting the forward superstructure, which includes the bridge and integrated sensor mast.
Note that this video is a modification of the official MRCV video graphics released last year and does not show the final ship design.
Saab provided the composite superstructure for Singapore’s Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessels (LMV), which uses an integrated Comand Centre for Bridge, CIC and Engineering control, which is explained in the following video:
With the far larger MRCV, battle space management will be its primary role, with multiple sensors, UAV/UUV/USVs and weapons operating simultaneously. I thus expect the class to use a Combat Management Centre separate from bridge control.
A unique agreement sees Saab, in partnership with OMT, as the developers of the overall concept design, while ST Engineering handles production, procurement and system integration. Singapore’s Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) has project oversight.
The MRCV project will see six vessels join the RSN from 2028, replacing the Victory Class Missile Corvettes. Naval News, with its detailed coverage from 4th May IMDEX 2023, has indicated that the MRCVs will be large ships with 10,000-tonne displacement.
The First Type 218SG sub is the second to arrive in Singapore.
According to Janes, the first-in-class Type 218SG SSK has made the journey from Keil, Germany to Singapore on the heavy transport ship MV Rolldock Star.
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| Image: posted on 'X' @DarthFreder |
Invincible was launched by TKMS in February 2019, and remained in German waters to conduct crew training for the new submarine class. RSS Impeccable, the second boat, was launched in December 2022, and arrived in Singapore in July 2023, on the MV Rolldock Storm, is expected to commission at the end of this year.
With Invincible now in Singapore, it is conceivable that both Type 218SG submarines will commission together, and replace the last two Challenger-class boats (ex-Sjoormen-class), RSS Conqueror and RSS Chieftain, which were launched in 1967/68 and have served Singapore for twenty years.
The last two Type 218SG boats are still in TKMS yard hands in Kiel, Germany. RSS Illustrious was launched simultaneously with RSS Impeccable in 2022, and probably took over crew training, while RSS Inimitable, launched in March 2024, is currently dockside fitting out. It’s likely that once the fourth boat has completed its builder’s trials, both subs will ship to Singapore together, likely in early 2025.