Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, officiated the launch ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) second Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV), Valour, at the ST Engineering’s Benoi Shipyard July 23.
Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, K Shanmugam, officiated the launch ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) second Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV), Valour, at the ST Engineering’s Benoi Shipyard today. The MRCV was launched by Shanmugam’s spouse, who was the Lady Sponsor. The ceremony was also attended by Minister for Defense Chan Chun Sing, Senior Minister of State for Defense Zaqy Mohamad, Chief of Defense Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Chief Defense Scientist Tan Peng Yam, Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat, and senior defense officials from the Ministry of Defense, the Singapore Armed Forces, and the Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).
Speaking at the ceremony, Shanmugam highlighted that a strong and capable Navy was integral to safeguarding Singapore’s sea lines of communication and sovereignty, “It is a fundamental national priority for us to keep our maritime approaches secure, open and free. In fact, it’s a matter of survival. The MRCV strengthens our Navy’s ability to help us fulfil this mission.” He added, “The future security environment continues to evolve. We will not be able to predict every challenge that we will face. But we can build platforms that can adapt and respond to a wide range of scenarios and evolve alongside those challenges.”
MRCV Valour is the second of six MRCVs to be launched. The MRCV is designed to function as a “mothership” for unmanned aerial, surface and underwater systems for the conduct of naval operations. The MRCVs will also be equipped with advanced sensors, weapon systems and network capabilities. This will allow her to handle a wide range of threats, and function as a Command ship. Designed with advanced automation, the MRCV will be able to operate safely and effectively with a smaller crew compared to other warships of similar size and capability.
MRCV Valour will be undergoing outfitting, platform and combat systems integration, and acceptance trials. In parallel, pioneer MRCV crew will also begin training to prepare them to operationalize the ship in the coming years. The MRCVs will be delivered progressively from 2028 onwards.
The MRCV project reflects the strong partnership with the Defense Technology Community, including DSTA, DSO National Laboratories, ST Engineering, and other industry partners, to ensure that the ship can deliver its envisaged operational outcomes.
Damen Shipyards Group and the Government of the Commonwealth of the Bahamas have signed contracts for a comprehensive refit program covering four Royal Bahamas Defense Force (RBDF) vessels, restoring and extending the operational readiness of the fleet so the RBDF can continue to protect Bahamian waters without interruption.
Program scope
The program covers the refit of four vessels: the offshore patrol vessels HMBS Rolly Gray and HMBS Arthur Dion Hanna (Damen Stan Patrol 4207), the patrol vessel HMBS Cascarilla (Damen Stan Patrol 3007), and the logistics support vessel HMBS Lawrence Major (Damen Stan Lander 5612). The refit works for the three patrol vessels will be carried out at Damen facilities in the Netherlands, while the Stan Lander 5612, HMBS Lawrence Major, will undergo its refit at COTECMAR in Colombia, a longstanding Damen partner in the region. Delivering the works closer to the vessel’s area of operation helps shorten transit, contain costs and return this ship to service faster.
A lasting partnership
This marks another milestone in the relationship between Damen and the RBDF, which has spanned more than 12 years. During this time, Damen has worked closely with the RBDF and the Ministry of National Security to support the country’s maritime security, search and rescue, disaster relief, and coastal protection capabilities.