Singaporean shipbuilder ST Engineering held the keel-laying ceremony on 27 January 2026 for the second “Multi-Role Combat Vessel” (MRCV) frigate intended for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The event marks further progress within a program that foresees the induction of six ships of this class, conceived to operate both as surface combat platforms and as motherships for unmanned systems.
The company reported the milestone through its social media channels, mentioning its partner in the program, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), although it did not provide further details on the ceremony. In the announcement, ST Engineering stated: “This marks an important milestone that ensures robust progress for the program and a strong foundation for the rest of the ships in the class. Building on our proven shipbuilding expertise, we design and build capable and resilient vessels to meet the operational demands of modern navies.”
The start of construction of this second unit adds to a series of previous milestones in the MRCV program. In April 2025, the steel-cutting for this ship was carried out, while in October of the same year ST Engineering launched RSS Victory, the first frigate of the class, at its Benoi shipyard facilities. RSS Victory is the first of six units that will progressively replace the Victory-class missile corvettes, in service with the RSN since 1989.
The MRCV frigates are designed to strengthen Singapore’s ability to protect its Sea Lines of Communication (SLOCs), considered vital to the uninterrupted flow of goods, services, and energy. In this sense, the RSN aims to field platforms capable of operating both in its immediate maritime environment and at greater distances, while also contributing to the regional security architecture and international efforts linked to freedom of navigation.
From a conceptual standpoint, the MRCV combines the capabilities of a modern frigate with the functions of a mothership for unmanned systems. With a length of 150 meters, a beam of 21 meters, and a displacement of around 8,000 tonnes, it is the largest and most complex warship built to date in Singapore. Its design calls for an endurance of more than 7,000 nautical miles and over 21 days at sea, doubling the operational reach of the Formidable-class frigates currently in service.
These characteristics enable a single MRCV to deploy and control unmanned surface vehicles (USVs), unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), significantly expanding its ability to monitor and act across the air, surface, and subsurface domains. According to program officials, this integration of unmanned systems would allow an MRCV to execute missions that today would require the participation of multiple crewed ships.
In terms of combat capability, the MRCVs will be fitted with sensors and weapons systems geared toward high-intensity scenarios, and will also be able to serve as a command ship in support of missions conducted by the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). Among their systems is a locally developed Combat Management System (CMS) produced by the DSTA, incorporating advanced information-fusion and decision-support capabilities. The sensor suite includes Thales multi-function and fire-control radars, SAFRAN electro-optical systems, a hull-mounted sonar, and dedicated cybersecurity capabilities. As for armament, the planned configuration includes a 76 mm STRALES gun, 30 mm MK30-C remotely operated weapon systems, MICA and ASTER surface-to-air missiles, and a surface-to-surface missile system whose final selection will be confirmed later.
Another central aspect of the MRCV design is its modularity. The ship features a mission bay capable of housing up to eight containerized modules, allowing it to be reconfigured in short timeframes for different types of operations. This flexibility enables employment in humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions, including the possibility of embarking additional medical modules—such as operating rooms, intensive care units, and hospitalization areas—within rapidly deployable maritime containers. The ability to operate with standardized containers also simplifies logistics, facilitating the loading and unloading of supplies, equipment, and maintenance material.
The MRCV design also incorporates growth margins intended for future modernizations. Its high-voltage electrical distribution system—required for its Integrated Full Electric Propulsion (IFEP)—is prepared to power systems with higher energy demands. This is complemented by a superstructure built from lightweight composite materials, improving stability and freeing up weight margin for the integration of new equipment. Advanced automation also reduces the crew needed to operate the ship, with a bridge that can be run by two crew members and an engineering control center that requires only one to supervise ship systems, in addition to internal cranes and elevators that optimize the movement of loads and containers on board.
The MRCV frigates are expected to be delivered progressively starting in 2028. In line with RSN tradition, the new units will retain the names of the missile corvettes they will replace, with Victory assigned to the first frigate of the class. The program, officially announced in 2022, forms part of Singapore’s naval modernization plan and is being developed jointly by DSTA, DSO, ST Engineering, and international partners, in close coordination with the country’s armed forces.
*Images used for illustrative purposes.
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