Here are the multi-role ships of the Singapore Navy
Cutting of the first sheets of the first of the six Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) units destined for the Singapore Navy, which will all be built in the shipyards of the large local defense group ST Engineering. Giovanni Martinelli's in-depth analysis
The announcement came almost silently, essentially in the wake of what has been the development of the future Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) destined for the Singapore Navy to date. A singular aspect, however, given that, usually, this particular city-state is quite transparent in its relations with the outside regarding issues related to defense and its own Armed Forces. And yet, on this occasion, this is not the case; probably due to the innovative characteristics of the project in question and such as to require a certain amount of confidentiality..
An announcement, it was said; that is, linked to the cutting of the first sheets of the first of these 6 units, which will all be built in the yards of the large local group active in defense ST Engineering. The latter is taking care of the entire final design phase and, precisely, of the construction of the ships envisaged on the basis of a contract signed on 27 March 2023 with the Ministry of Defense of Singapore and with Defense Science and Technology Agency (DSTA); that is, the government organization that deals with the development of the most innovative technologies at the service of that country's defense.
But the interesting fact is that DSTA itself, obviously in agreement with ST Engineering, also awarded a contract to Saab Kockums (which then in turn entered into a partnership with the Danish company Odense Maritime Technology or OMT) to collaborate and bring its know-how right in the design phases. An unsurprising choice, because the collaboration between the local group and the Swedish one is already solid, having been born during the development of the 8 Independence class units which recently entered service with the Republic of Singapore Navy.
From a technical point of view, it is important to underline that these 6 future MRCVs will enter service with the aim of replacing the same number of small Victory class corvettes but, as we will see shortly, nothing of the new units will recall the characteristics and capabilities of the current ones in service. Therefore, we will in fact witness a sort of "paradigm shift".
A NEW PLATFORM CONCEPT FOR THE SINGAPORE NAVY
In fact, although the idea itself is not entirely new, because it is already being applied in other areas for some navies, the fact remains that the MRCVs will in fact be the first combat units that will have not only the traditional capabilities of a similar unit but also (or rather, above all) other much more innovative ones. Specifically, capacity to operate as a "mothership" for various "unmanned" systems/platforms; otherwise said, the "drones".
But let's proceed in order: as mentioned previously, there is not much information available. So much so that part of the technical analysis will inevitably have to be carried out under the banner of extensive use of the conditional.
As regards the dimensions, various sources have referred to a project (which also anticipated the very concept of MRCV) already existing in the ST Engineering "catalogue", namely the "Multi-Role Combatant" Vanguard 130. A platform therefore measuring 130 meters long, 19 wide and an approximate displacement of 5,000 tons. In reality, however, some recent rumors refer to a further step forward; that is, without specifying parameters such as length and width, they now report a displacement that could even reach 8,000 tons (compared to 600 for the Victory class corvettes).
Nothing is also known about the propulsion system; except that it will have a so-called Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP) configuration, therefore with engines (presumably diesel) that will act exclusively as generators. And with the power generated by them which will therefore satisfy both the needs in terms of propulsion and those of the on-board equipment/systems. Precisely with reference to the latter, a further distinctive aspect of the MRCV is inherent: the high automation, which will thus allow the number of crew members to be limited. We are talking about just about eighty units, a very small number for such a platform.
OPERATIONAL CAPABILITIES
Traditional and innovative capabilities were mentioned above. Well, as regards the former, the MRCVs directly resemble those of a modern frigate in terms of combat system (i.e., sensors plus weapons). In fact, a Sea Fire multifunction radar from the French company Thales should be installed on board, to which electro-optical equipment will be associated; However, the picture is unclear on the underwater sensors front, although it is nevertheless foreseeable that at least one sonar (on the hull) will be installed.
The equipment in terms of weapon systems is also quite rich; in fact, the installation of a 76/62 mm artillery piece from the Italian Leonardo is planned which will be integrated by several systems with small caliber cannons for close defense (of a type not yet specified). The anti-aircraft missile equipment is very particular; the MRCVs will have vertical launch systems designed for the use of both the shorter range MICA missiles and the Aster 30 B1 NT which instead guarantee a longer range long and even a capability to counter ballistic missiles (both missiles produced by the European MBDA). The equipment will be completed by Blue Spear anti-ship missiles (co-produced by ST Engineering itself and the Israeli IAI) while it is not yet known which torpedo will be used.
THE NEW “MOTHERSHIP”
At this point, the analysis of the innovative capabilities that will be introduced on the MRCVs certainly could not be missing; all referring to the concept of "mothership", understood as a platform conceived from the beginning to host and operate a series of "unmanned" systems. In fact, the stern of the unit is expected to contain spaces for a pair of Unmanned Surface Vehicles (USVs). Unmanned Underwater Vehicles (UUVs) should then be placed in the side bays, while Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAVs) can be accommodated in the hangar (in addition to a possible helicopter); Since a modular space is provided amidships for the loading of containers and/or other equipment, it cannot be ruled out that this too could be reconfigured for UAV operations.
Remembering that ST Engineering has various drone models in its product portfolio in all the fields just mentioned, it should therefore be underlined that their organic presence on board the MRCVs will give these units the ability to conduct new missions (for example, in the context of fight against mines) and/or expand those already available (for example, in the fight against submarines or in the creation of a larger security bubble around the ship).
Therefore, the MRCVs will become truly multi-purpose/multi-mission units in all respects; given that alongside the more classic (albeit strong) combat capabilities, those offered by the panoply of embarked "unmanned" systems will be added. Systems which, as demonstrated by the lessons coming from the ongoing conflict between Ukraine and Russia, are increasingly establishing themselves as absolute protagonists of current military operations and, above all, of those of the future.
This is a machine translation from Italian language of a post published on Start Magazine at the URL https://www.startmag.it/smartcity/ecco-le-navi-multiruolo-della-marina-di-singapore/ on Thu, 28 Mar 2024 08:00:03 +0000.