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 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.