Singapore Navy must remain strong to protect maritime interests: DPM Teo

SINGAPORE — As the region’s maritime security landscape becomes increasingly complex and challenging, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) must remain a strong maritime force in order to deal with current and future threats, Deputy Prime Minister Teo Chee Hean said on Saturday (April 16).

Speaking at the launch ceremony of the navy’s second Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV), Sovereignty, DPM Teo noted that Singapore, as a maritime nation, relies heavily on the sea as its lifeline.

“But our geo-strategic location and the large volume of maritime traffic are also a source of vulnerability for Singapore,” he added. “The surrounding seas in our region are the focus of contest between countries near and far who seek to influence and control the use of the seas for trade and for navigation, and for their resources. The security of sea lines and our port is affected by piracy, sea robberies, and the emergent threat of transnational maritime terrorism. The interruption of sea traffic, or a threat coming from the many vessels sailing through these waters will have a serious impact on us here in Singapore.”

The introduction of the high-tech and manpower-lean LMVs will give Singapore “a significantly more capable platform” to protect the country’s maritime interests, he said at the ceremony, which was held at ST Marine’s Benoi Yard. The LMVs, the Singapore navy’s latest ships, will replace the Fearless-class Patrol Vessels, which have been in service for around two decades.

Many innovations, as well as improvements in integration and design, enable the LMVs to deliver significantly enhanced capabilities compared to the Fearless-class patrol vessels. For instance, the LMVs are designed with an integrated bridge, combat information centre and machinery control room that greatly enhances the crew’s shared awareness, and enables them to sense and react faster to maritime security threats, DPM Teo said.

The LMVs also require less manpower to operate. Said Mr Teo, who is also the Coordinating Minister for National Security: “ Indeed, the eight LMVs will now do the work that previously required our 11 current patrol vessels.

“Each LMV will require at least 10 per cent less manpower compared to the patrol vessels. And when you look at the 11 vessels that we currently have and we compare them to the eight, that saving in manpower is even greater.”

Sovereignty is the second of eight LMVs that will be built for the navy, under an agreement between the Defence Ministry and ST Engineering in 2013. All eight LMVs are expected to be fully operational by 2020. The first LMV, Independence, was launched on July 3 last year and is currently undergoing sea trials.

All eight LMVs are expected to be fully operational by 2020. The first LMV Independence was launched on 3 July 2015 and is presently undergoing sea trials.