Tag Archives: ST Marine

Navy

Fifth Littoral Vessel

According to Ridzwan Rahmat, IHS Jane’s Defence Weekly correspondent, Shipbuilder ST Marine has laid down the fifth Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

The third Littoral Mission Vessel on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy, Unity, at its launch ceremony in October 2016. ST Marine laid down the fifth vessel, Indomitable, on 11 November (Source: IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat)
The third Littoral Mission Vessel on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy, Unity, at its launch ceremony in October 2016. ST Marine laid down the fifth vessel, Indomitable, on 11 November (Source: IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat)

The 1,250-tonne platform, which will be the future RSS Indomitable, was laid down on 11 November at the shipyard’s facilities in Jurong.

Indomitable is part of a contract for eight LMVs acquired by the Singapore government to replace the RSN’s 11 Fearless-class patrol boats, a number of which have been in service for more than 20 years.

First-of-class Independence was launched in July 2015, while third-of-class Unity was launched in October 2016. The fourth vessel, Justice, is currently under construction at ST Marine’s facilities in Benoi, having been laid down in May 2016.

The LMV platform features a length of 262.5 feet/80 m, a beam of 39.4 feet/12 m, and a draught of 9.8 feet/3 m. Powered by two MTU 20V 4000 M93 engines each, the platform can reach top speeds in excess of 27 knots/31 mph/50 km/h, and a standard range of 3,500 nautical miles/4,028 miles/6,482 km at 15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h.

The LMV’s suite of weapons include a 12-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS) in the forward section that can launch MBDA’s VL Mica anti-air missiles, and one Oto Melara 76/62 Super Rapid main gun.

All eight LMVs are expected to be operational by 2020.

Navy

The Launch of the
Third LMV

Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine), the marine arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering), successfully launched the third Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV), Unity, designed and built for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

The launching of the third Littoral Mission Vessel – Unity, built by ST Marine for the Republic of Singapore Navy
The launching of the third Littoral Mission Vessel – Unity, built by ST Marine for the Republic of Singapore Navy

The ceremony was officiated by Mr. Ong Ye Kung, Acting Minister for Education (Higher Education and Skills) and Senior Minister of State for Defence. Mrs. Diana Ong, spouse of Mr. Ong, took on the role as the lady sponsor in accordance with naval traditions to name and launch the vessel at ST Marine’s Benoi Yard. The event was witnessed by many senior officials from Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces.

«The launch of the third Littoral Mission Vessel – Unity is yet another gratified moment for ST Marine», said Ng Sing Chan, President for ST Marine. «We are making great strides in the LMV programme, made possible only with the hard-work and commitment from the project teams from MINDEF, RSN, DSTA and our many other partners. We are honoured to be given the opportunity to prime this contract and showcase our engineering expertise and the ability to manage large scale engineering systems».

ST Marine was awarded the contract by MINDEF in 2013 to design and build eight LMVs for the RSN. The vessels are expected to be delivered from 2016 and be fully operational by 2020. They will replace the PVs designed and built by ST Marine in the 1990s.

The LMV programme is in serial production at ST Marine with eight ships under construction or in the pre-construction phase. The first LMV, Independence has returned to Tuas Naval Base on 26 May 2016 and is performing the Checkout, Integration and Testing (CIT) for weapon systems on-board. The second LMV, Sovereignty is preparing for sea trials while the third LMV, Unity will embark on harbour acceptance trials after her launch.

Smarter, faster and sharper, the LMVs are highly capable warships designed and equipped with advanced combat capabilities and technologies to further strengthen the RSN’s ability in protecting our sea lines of communication. With an innovative design and vast array of sense-making and decision support systems, the LMVs can operate smarter with a leaner crew for greater effectiveness and efficiency. The 262.5-foot/80-meter long vessels are 2.5 times larger in size and can travel faster than the current Fearless-class Patrol Vessels (PVs). They are highly manoeuvrable and can operate in confined and congested littoral waters effectively. Equipped with sharper and advanced combat capabilities and technologies, the LMVs can be quickly configured with mission modules to take on a wide spectrum of operations, allowing the crew to deliver calibrated responses using lethal and non-lethal options to deal with a range of maritime threats.

The third Littoral Mission Vessel on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy, Unity, at its launch ceremony on 13 October 2016
The third Littoral Mission Vessel on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy, Unity, at its launch ceremony on 13 October 2016
Navy

Littoral Mission Vessel

Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine), the marine arm of Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering), held the Launching Ceremony on April 16 for the second Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV), RSS Sovereignty, designed and built for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

The future RSS Sovereignty is the second of eight Littoral Mission Vessels that ST Marine is building for the navy of Singapore. All should be commissioned and in service by 2018 (RSN photo)
The future RSS Sovereignty is the second of eight Littoral Mission Vessels that ST Marine is building for the navy of Singapore. All should be commissioned and in service by 2018 (RSN photo)

The Launch Ceremony was officiated by Mr. Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security. Initiating the launch of the vessel at ST Marine’s Benoi Yard was DPM Teo’s wife, Mrs. Teo Chee Hean. The event was witnessed by Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence; Dr. Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, Senior Minister of State for Defence, and many senior officials from Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

The launch of RSS Sovereignty, the second LMV in a series of eight vessels, marks another significant milestone for the LMV programme. Smarter, faster and sharper, the LMVs are highly capable warships designed and equipped with advanced combat capabilities and technologies to further strengthen the RSN’s ability in the seaward defence of Singapore and protecting our sea lines of communication.

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», these 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 262.5 feet/80 m in length and beam at 39.4 feet/12 m with displacement of 1,250 tonnes, the LMVs are 2.5 times larger than the current Fearless-class Patrol Vessels (PVs) and possess better sea-keeping capabilities to operate in higher sea state conditions.

ST Marine was awarded the contract by MINDEF in 2013 to design and build eight LMVs for the RSN. The vessels are expected to be delivered from 2016. They will replace the PVs that ST Marine designed and built in the 1990s.

The launching of the second Littoral Mission Vessel – RSS Sovereignty, built by ST Marine for the Republic of Singapore Navy
The launching of the second Littoral Mission Vessel – RSS Sovereignty, built by ST Marine for the Republic of Singapore Navy
Navy

Littoral Mission Vessel

According to Ridzwan Rahmat, Jane’s Navy International correspondent, Singapore shipbuilder ST Marine has laid down the third of eight Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs) on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). A keel-laying ceremony for the 1,200-tonne vessel at ST Marine’s shipyard in Jurong was attended by the country’s chief of defence force, Major General Perry Lim, and navy chief Rear Admiral Lai Chung Han.

The RSN's first-of-class LMV, Independence, during its launch ceremony on 3 July 2015. Third vessel in the class was launched (Source: IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat)
The RSN’s first-of-class LMV, Independence, during its launch ceremony on 3 July 2015. Third vessel in the class was launched (Source: IHS/Ridzwan Rahmat)

ST Marine is building all eight vessels under a contract announced in January 2013 to replace the RSN’s 11 Fearless-class patrol vessels that have been in service since the mid-1990s. The platform has been jointly designed by Saab Kockums AB and ST Marine.

The LMV has a length of 262.5 feet/80 m, a beam of 39.4 feet/12 m, and a draught of 9.8 feet/3 m. Powered by two MTU 20V 4000 M93 engines, the 1,250-tonne platform has a top speed in excess of 27 knots/31 mph/50 km/h and a standard range of 3,500 NM/4,028 miles/6,482 km at 15 knots/17 mph/28 km/h. The platform can accommodate a baseline crew complement of 23 including five officers and has a mission endurance of 14 days.

The Independence-class ships will each be armed with one Oto Melara 76/62 Super Rapid main gun as a primary weapon, two Oto Melara Hitrole 12.7-mm remote-controlled weapon stations (one each on the port and starboard sides), and one stern-facing Rafael 25-mm Typhoon stabilised naval gun system. The vessels will also be equipped with a 12-cell Vertical Launching System (VLS) in the forward section that can deploy MBDA’s VL Mica anti-air missile system.

The platform can embark one medium-lift helicopter on its flight deck and two Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (RHIBs) or the Protector Unmanned Surface Vessel (USV) at its stern.