The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) launched the first of eight new warships, titled Independence, on Friday (Jul 3). The new Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs) - which were designed, planned and built locally - will eventually replace the existing Fearless-class Patrol Vessels that have been in service for 20 years.
Compared to the Patrol Vessels, these LMVs have various customisable mission modules, including medical containers and unmanned systems, that can be reconfigured to respond to different circumstances and roles from counter-piracy, mine clearing to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief operations.
Also of note is the level of automation on board for a ship of its size and function - just 23 men are required to crew at the baseline level, compared to around 30 for the previous generation patrol vessels.
When completed, the Integrated Command Centre will form the nerve centre of the ship. It means that most tasks - from warfare to maintenance - will be carried out in the same space, unlike on previous warships.
Said Lieutenant-Colonel (LTC) Tay Choong Hern, LMV Independence's Commanding Officer: "The Integrated Command Centre allows us to put all these functions together, and enables us to have more seamless communication, as well as situational awareness with the 360 (degree) bridge view, that allows us to immediately appreciate what is going on outside the vessel. This has greatly improved our ability to sense, detect and foil any maritime security threats."
The LMV Independence is the third ship to be given the name. Former Commanding Officers of the previous RSS Independence vessels - a Swift-class Patrol Craft and the current Fearless-class Patrol Vessel - were also invited to the launch ceremony.
"It is a long way from where I was (in command of RSS Independence) to come and see this vessel, and it is really impressive," said Retired Major Alan Aw, First Commanding Officer of the RSS Independence (Patrol Craft) in 1970.
He added: "With the capabilities that this ship can do, the Navy has really reached a stage where we can be considered one of the best in the world. The spectrum of operations are wider, and your responsibilities are greater.
"Because of that I believe we have reached a stage where we have to cope with it. In order to cope with it, we have to build the Navy (further) and I hope that the Navy has reached the stage where they can be compared as one of the respected Navies in the world, and I hope that we will continue to be there."
LTC (Retired) Lim Hock Chye, First Commanding Officer of the RSS Independence (Patrol Vessel) in 1998, added: "I must say that the people who would be operating this ship are far more capable, because today's younger generation, not only are they educated, they are fast and they are very sharp.
"So moving on, this is the way to go, and I believe the LMV is certainly going to outperform most of our craft from the previous generation, and perhaps break new barriers in terms of capability."Working with Defence Science and Technology Agency engineers, the RSN has managed to design the ship to require half the maintenance time of the patrol vessels, allowing more time out at sea. It is also fitted with a helicopter deck to extend its reach.
At the launch of the Independence, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said that while the ships are more capable compared to its predecessors - with more automation, intelligent systems and firepower - "nothing can replace the spirit of the men and women of the RSN in ensuring success for every mission".
"The LMV is not just another new ship, but instead will lead the way in how we use technology to overcome operational demands. That is the ethos of Singapore as we celebrate our Golden Jubilee. How we look at our problems and say 'we can overcome'. Even if we have a reduction of manpower, we will do it. There will be a way that we can find, that we can surmount our challenges and find the spirit which our founding fathers did," Dr Ng said.
He also said that the names for all eight vessels were chosen with the help of many Singaporeans, and reflect the values of the nation's founding fathers and the pioneer generation - Independence, Sovereignty, Unity, Justice, Indomitable, Fortitude, Dauntless and Fearless.
"These are fine names, and I charge the RSN to live up to them," said Dr Ng.
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