Transcript of Speech by Mr K Shanmugam, Coordinating Minister for National Security and Minister for Home Affairs, at the Launch Ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy's[...]

Cabinet colleagues: Chun Sing and Zaqy,

Members of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN),

ST Leadership,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen.

Introduction

Very good morning to all of you.

I think we are all happy to be here for the launch of this vessel, Valour. This is, as you've heard, the navy's second Multi-Role Combat Vessel, or MRCV for short.

The key point to really note, in terms of MINDEF's planning, is that the foresight in building up our Navy over decades can be seen from the current international situation.

As you look around the news, countries are now saying, "how do we keep our sea lanes safe?". And they are talking about getting naval vessels quickly, buying, doing what they can; but actually, to really take care of your security, you need to be thinking about it for over a much longer term.

Maritime trade routes are under intense stress. We all know the situation on the Strait of Hormuz. It has been effectively closed for a number of months. Before that, it carried 25% of the world's oil, and 80% of that flows to Asia.

You have seen the impact from this. In some countries, energy rationing, and of course, affecting various other parts - for example, the price of fertilisers go up, costs more to transport and store food products.

We have also faced some of these issues. Electricity tariffs have gone up. Petrol prices have gone up, and there is an impact on businesses and households.

A lot of what we need in Singapore comes by sea: food, energy, trade.

And it is a fundamental national priority for us to keep our maritime approaches secure, open, and free.

In fact, it is a matter of survival.

A Technologically Advanced and Future-Ready Platform

The MRCV strengthens our Navy's ability to help us fulfil this mission.

It has an operational range of about 7,000 nautical miles. That is more than twice the range of our Frigates.

It can also deploy for longer periods with an endurance of over 21 days.

And this vessel reflects a paradigm shift in our naval operations.

One of its defining features is mission modularity.

The MRCV can be quickly reconfigured for a wide range of missions, from high-end maritime operations to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief.

It can accommodate containerised mission modules, and it can include medical facilities.

This flexibility was planned for.

The future security environment continues to evolve.

We will not be able to predict every challenge that we will face.

But we can build platforms that can adapt and respond to a wide range of scenarios, and evolve alongside those challenges.

That philosophy is reflected in the MRCV.

Its electrical distribution system has been designed with future growth in mind.

And it will be able to accommodate new technologies, future systems that may require significantly more power.

And it's designed as a mothership for unmanned air, surface, and underwater systems.

It can have the reach of a much larger warship but with less than a hundred crew. And the redesigned bridge can be operated by just two persons, compared to the usual five. Its Engineering Control Centre can be managed by a single operator, instead of the usual four.

Strong Collaboration and a Robust Nationwide Defence Ecosystem

The project, as you've heard from Vincent, has progressed at a good pace.

It demonstrates the maturity of Singapore's shipbuilding and overall defence ecosystem.

The first MRCV was only launched nine months ago.

Three months ago, steel was cut for the third and fourth MRCVs.

All these ships are being built here in Singapore by ST Engineering.

The company has also built the vast majority of our naval ships, our new vessels for the SCDF's Marine Division, and the Police Coast Guard's next-generation patrol craft, which I commissioned four years ago.

We can design, we can build, we can sustain multiple advanced naval warships simultaneously.

This reflects decades of investment in our defence industry, our engineering capabilities, and our people.

The programme also demonstrates what can be achieved through close cooperation.

DSTA, DSO, ST Engineering have all worked closely together with our partners from industry. That includes foreign partners here today - Saab and Odense Maritime Technology.

They have done so from the beginning, from concept development and design, through to construction, to systems integration, and sustainment.

Together, they have contributed to what is arguably the most sophisticated warship that has ever been built in Singapore.

The MRCV raises the bar for what our Navy can do.

It also raises expectations on what our sailors have to do. They will have to master increasingly complex systems; they have to operate in more demanding environments.

And behind every sailor, every soldier - parents, spouses, children, loved ones.

Their support often goes unseen, but it can't be done without that support.

So their sacrifices are part of Singapore's defence strategy too.

To all our sailors, and to all your families - thank you for your service.

Conclusion

This vessel inherits the proud legacy of the Victory - class Missile Corvettes.

These vessels served us for more than 30 years, alongside many of you who are present here today.

The Corvettes were pioneers in integrating unmanned systems at sea with the ScanEagle UAV.

Today, the MRCV carries that spirit - as another leap forward in our naval capabilities.

On behalf of the people of Singapore, it is my honour to be here at the launch of this MRCV, Valour.

I am sure she will serve Singapore well.

She will safeguard our seas with strength and courage.

And she will stand as a symbol of our determination to secure Singapore's future for decades to come.

Thank you.

More Resources

Launch of the Singapore Navy's Second Multi-Role Combat Vessel