Tackling threats: Ivy Ng (on platform), wife of Defence Minister Dr Ng
Eng Hen, launching Singapore’s first littoral mission vessel, the
‘Independence’. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network
SINGAPORE has launched the first of eight new warships that will sharpen the navy’s firepower to tackle new maritime threats.
Independence, a littoral mission vessel, will go through sea trials from next year after its combat systems are installed.
It is expected to be battle-ready by 2017 while the others are expected to become operational by 2020.
Singapore Unveils New Patrol Vessels as Regional Tensions Rise
Singapore’s navy is preparing to take on more unconventional
missions with a new fleet of patrol boats, as territorial tensions rise
in the South China Sea and demands for search and rescue missions
increase in the aftermath of airplane disasters in the region.
The first of eight Littoral Mission Vessels was launched this week
and will be fully operational by 2017, according to the Ministry of
Defence. The ships were designed and built by a unit of Singapore
Technologies Engineering Ltd.
Singapore joins other nations in the region in its focus on maritime
security, bolstering fleets of coastal combat and patrol vessels to
deter piracy, illegal fishing and human trafficking. Countries like
Indonesia and the Philippines are also looking to buy more planes for
surveillance flights.
Singapore selects VL Mica for new Littoral Mission Vessels
An artist's impression of the RSN's LMV in its final configuration. (Singapore Ministry of Defence)
The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) new Littoral Mission Vessels
(LMVs) will be equipped with MBDA's Vertical Launch (VL) Mica
air-defence system, the service has confirmed.
The missiles will be deployed via a 12-cell vertical launching system
(VLS) located on the forward section of the vessel, said Lieutenant
Colonel Chew Chun-Chau who heads the RSN's LMV project office. He was
speaking to
IHS Jane's
on the sidelines of a media briefing to mark the launch of first-of-class LMV
Independence
.
"The Mica system will be the platform's defence against a wide range
of airborne threats, including hostile aircraft and missiles," said Lt
Col Chew.
Singapore Navy Launches Locally made Littoral Mission Vessel
The Singapore Navy today launched the first of eight locally made littoral warships for multi-mission applications.
The new Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs) named as Independence will
eventually replace the existing Fearless-class Patrol Vessels, which
have been in service for 20 years, local media reported today.
These LMVs have various customizable mission modules, including
medical containers and unmanned systems, that can be reconfigured to
respond to different circumstances and roles from counter-piracy, mine
clearing to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
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- Singapore's First Littoral Mission Vessel Commissioned
Singapore launches first Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel
The RSN's first-of-class LMV, Independence, during its launch ceremony on 3 July 2015. Source: IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat
Singapore has launched the first of eight Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs) on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
The vessel, Independence , was launched on 3 July at ST
Marine's shipyard in Benoi in a ceremony presided over by Singapore's
defence minister Ng Eng Hen.
Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) signed a contract for the
LMVs in January 2013, with the ships replacing the RSN's 11
Fearless-class patrol boats (which have been in service since the
mid-1990s). The LMV has been jointly designed by Saab Kockums AB and ST
Marine, and is being built in Singapore by ST Marine. Singapore's
Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) is the overall manager and
systems integrator for the programme.
Full Coverage:
TODAYonline: First of 8 new S'pore-made Navy ships launched
Channel News Asia: Singapore Navy launches first of 8 new warships
Defenseworld.net: Singapore Navy Launches Locally made Littoral Mission Vessel
IHS Jane's 360: Singapore selects VL Mica for new Littoral Mission Vessels
The Star Online: Singapore navy to get eight new warship
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