Singapore's First Littoral Mission Vessel Delivered

The Republic of Singapore Navy took delivery of its first littoral mission vessel, Independence, on Friday at the Tuas Naval Base. 

Independence, launched in July 2015, completed harbour trials and platform acceptance tests prior to delivery to 182 Squadron of the Maritime Security Task Force. Installation of combat systems will now be completed followed by testing. 

The vessel, expected to be commissioned next year, was built by Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine), and a second vessel, Sovereignty, was launched at the yard earlier this year.

ST Marine was awarded a contract by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence in 2013 to design and build eight such vessels which are expected to be fully operational by 2020. They replace the Fearless-class patrol vessels that ST Marine designed and built in the 1990s. 

The vessels are highly capable warships designed and equipped with advanced combat capabilities and technologies. The integrated command centre, where the bridge, combat information centre and machinery control room are co-located, integrates and synergises the management of navigation, engineering, and combat functions to achieve greater operational effectiveness and efficiency during maritime security operations. 

Adopting the concept of mission modularity, the vessels are versatile and can leverage a range of mission modules that can be reconfigured to respond to different circumstances and roles, ranging from maritime security and mine clearing, to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.

Measuring 80 meters (260 feet) in length and beam at 12 meters (39 feet) with displacement of 1,250 tons, the vessels are 2.5 times larger than the current Fearless-class patrol vessels and possess better sea-keeping capabilities to operate in higher sea state conditions.