Submarine & Other Matters: Singapore's Future Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) Issues

July 3, 2020

Singapore's Future Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) Issues

Following Pete’s article there were 2 major comments on July 2, 2020, regarding Singapore’s proposed Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV). Singapore hopes the MRCV will be operational by 2027 - so the selection process must occur quickly.

1. retortPouch commented:

“Right now, our best bet is that the MRCV will be a derivative of the STMarine Vanguard 130 in diagram below:

Concept diagram of STMarine Vanguard 130 derivative. (Diagram courtesy European Defence Review (EDR) Online May 23, 2019 https://www.edrmagazine.eu/imdex-19-st-engineering-unveils-latest-vanguard-combatant-variant)

---

Damen also advertised its Crossover 139 vessel for the requirement at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition held in Singapore, May 14-16, 2019 abbreviated IMDEX Asia 2019, but I'm not sure if the tender has been issued for competition yet.

Mothership concept. (Diagram courtesy Rafa Estrada, ST Engineering and UMS Skeldar via Channel News Asia May 19, 2019).

---

The MRCV is not intended to be a classic frigate, but rather a distributed warfare "mothership", deploying [Unmanned Aerial Systems] UAS, UUVs, and [Unmanned Surface Vessels] USVs. The Belharra/FDI frigates do not appear to be structurally optimised to deploy the offboard warfare systems necessary.

See: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mothership-navy-submarine-hunter-recon-leader-unmanned-systems-11542998 especially the tweeted video [by scrolling a 6^th way down].

The 6 Formidable class frigates need to undergo a [Mid-Life Update] MLU soon. retortPouch personally hopes the Herakles [radar systems] will be replaced by the [SEA FIRE all-digital multi-function radar].

There is also indication that the Harpoon 1B fit were always considered an interim solution: https://peacethoughstrength.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html:

"During the Naval Platform Technology Seminar held in Singapore in 2004, Singapore’s Permanent Secretary (Defence) Peter Ho hinted that the Harpoon missile was considered an interim fit, stating that,” these third-generation platforms (Formidable class frigates) must eventually be upgraded and armed with a new generation of anti-ship missiles that can defeat the most advanced defences"."

Strange as it sounds, the tiny corvette sized frigates were said to be designed with spare space and capacity for future upgrades. It is said to be a very cramped vessel to live in.

3 minutes 35seconds into above Video https://youtu.be/H4wuQQbKy_8 Hervé Boy, Naval Group’s Surface Ship Marketing Manager, describes Naval Group’s Belharra Frigate design. This was at IMDEX Asia 2019.
---

2. Shawn C commented:

“Just to add:

I’m personally unsure as to what the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will pick, though the close timeline is a big hint that it should be an existing ship design customised to the RSN’s requirements.

We do know it will have extensive unmanned control and handling facilities, to operate at least two UAVs, two UUVs and two USVs (simultaneously?) and act as a data node for off-board sensors (probably controlling Heron MALE UAVs). Though Singapore’s increasing naval reach indicates a more expeditionary approach for Fleet units for [Sea Lines of Communication] SLOC patrols (Shawn C wonders why).

Under the recent RSN organisational change [here?] 181 squadron, operating the 500-ton Victory-class missile corvettes are under Fleet, not [Maritime Security] MARSEC (Independence-class LMVs for example), so their replacements will not be designed for just ‘local’ operations.

Shawn C has three guesses [what design Singapore will choose for the Multi-Role Combat Vessel]:

1. The modified Belh@rra class [aka Belharra frigate] locally built with close Naval Group cooperation, since they now have an R and D centre in Singapore

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2019/11/naval-group-opens-new-rd-center-in-singapore/

2. The larger ST Vanguard derivative with [Naval Group formerly DCNS] inputs, because the Vanguard 130 variant looks crammed to the gills

https://www.navalnews.com/event-news/imdex-asia-2019/2019/05/imdex-2019-st-engineering-unveils-vanguard-130-multi-role-combatant/

3. [Making a] Wild Guess and personal favourite, the British Type 26 frigate with SEA FIRE radar, and a 127mm [5-inch] main gun. [Pete comments its much heavier, up to 8,000 tons full load] .

retortPouch and Shawn C

27 comments:

Anonymous7/04/2020 1:02 PM
Whatever the platform choice, I doubt the Singapore Navy will fit a 5 inch gun. It belongs to the school of thought that CIWS and GP gun functions are best merged into one, so you are likelier to see multiple 76mm SRGM than any larger calibre of gun.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Benjamin8/14/2020 2:29 AM
Hi this recent development between Singapore and Israel defence industry on the collaboration of developong this new anti ship missile platform is interesting. Do you think this is the future ASHM that will be replacing the harpoons on RSN Warships?

https://asianmilitaryreview.com/2020/07/st-engineering-partners-with-iai-on-naval-missiles/
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete8/14/2020 6:18 PM
Hi Benjamin

You probably know more than I concerning your question "Do you think this is the future ASHM that will be replacing the harpoons on RSN Warships?"

https://asianmilitaryreview.com/2020/07/st-engineering-partners-with-iai-on-naval-missiles/ describes two Israeli developed missiles the latest Barak model and latest Gabriel.

If those missiles could also be submarine launched And have a land attack capability they would be more competitive against the largest all-platform incumbents: US Harpoon, French Exocet and Russian Club/Klub.

Maybe Israeli/Singaporean joint ventures with the US or France (but not Russia or China, of course) to expand into much larger markets?

Cheers

Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete8/15/2020 3:41 PM
Hi Benjamin

I have to make an admission. I don't know much about current or future Singaporean SURFACE ship choices - my specialty being submarines.

But I see you know quite a lot about current/future Singaporean surface ship choices. So I invite you to fill in the knowledge gaps on this website.

Cheers

Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies
Benjamin8/16/2020 1:32 AM
Hi Pete,

Thanks,
I would say it all began with this interview on 2016 which marked Singapore Armed Forces day. Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen would hold an interview every year during SAF Day and gave updates. 2016 interview was the greatest interview so far based on the number of announcements made in that year which was alot. From the unveiling of the Hunter to the Belrex and replacements for the super pumas and Ch 47 and what struck out the most was the phrase joint multi mission vessel. It was an unexpected announcement. Perhaps too early for an announcement. He also mentioned by 2020 all 8 Littoral Mission Vessels would be operational, and indeed with the final 3 of the Independence entering service in February this year.

https://youtu.be/pFwcX4HfgO4

https://youtu.be/kBzG-2tPkkk

Then there was a thought about the Victory Class Missile Corvettes. Those ships were about a decade older than the LSTs why weren't there any announcements with regards to those 500 tons corvettes.

Then came the year 2018 and during SAF Day 2018 was the unveiling of the Multi Role Combat Vessels (MRCV). Other than that were the Next Gen Hotwizer and use of unmanned-manned teaming concepts for the services.

https://youtu.be/VkkP83vE6XM

With that in mind it would seem that the Republic of Singapore Navy announed replacements were settled since there were no other ships of class that needee replacements apart from the Bedok Class MCMV minesweeper/mine hunter vessels. Which from what i know are intended to be replaced by unmammed platforms alongside manned platforms like the LMVs which can conduct mine sweeping/hunting roles as one of its module when needed.

So then came the speculation. What ships to succeed the Endurance Class LSTs and Victory Class MCVs.

For the LSTs mamy were hopping on the Endurance 160 which was revealed by ST Marine back in 2010. Many call it the ideal fit or the pretty obvious choice even though it is now a design revealed 10 years ago. However during IMDEX Asia 2017 an Endurance 170 was unvelied and that reinforced the speculation that the 170 could be the replacement. However this article has downplayed all claims and i couldn't agree more. The JMMS is still far away and there is no conmmencement of project. As in my view revealing the idea of JMMS back in 2016 was premature. Perhaps they want us to get used to its term?

https://www.google.com.sg/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.janes.com/amp/singapore-airshow-2020-st-engineering-positions-endurance-170-for-potential-overseas-customer/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2&ved=2ahUKEwjVvJCKw53rAhVYfSsKHWdtDiUQFjAOegQIBBAB&usg=AOvVaw2KrB0TvdTuTSq7sBhmDvMO&ampcf=1

For the MRCV the unveiling of the Multi Role Combatant during IMDEX Asia 2019 was quite a clear cut in my opinion. I mean the concept is pretty much a match to what the MRCV is supposed to be.
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete8/17/2020 2:35 PM
Hi Benjamin

Thanks for your good comments at August 16, 2020 at 1:32 AM

I'll turn them into an article tomorrow (Tuesday August 18th).

Cheers

Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete8/18/2020 6:00 PM
Thanks Benjamin

I'll turn all our great comments into an article tomorrow.

Cheers

Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies
Benjamin9/05/2020 3:27 AM
RSS Invincible the first of class is undergoing sea trials

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/singapores-first-invincible-class-submarine-commences-trials-as-pioneer-crew-begins-training
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete9/06/2020 12:56 PM
Thanks Benjamin

The photo of Invincible looks much like Israel's Dolphin 2. I wonder whether Invincible will also mainly sit quietly on the seafloor - aided by:

- AIP, and

- the X-plane rudders (which are angled to be less likely to break/distort on the seafloor as well as better manoeuvring)?

Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete9/12/2020 4:28 PM
Hi Benjamin

The cost of each 218 was too low for any substantial variation on the 214. I basically think 218s have the features of a (slightly stretched (70m) for greater range/endurance, longer lasting AIP) 214 (usually 65m long) rather than the 218 being as custom built, say, as a Dolphin 2.

218s are mainly called "218" because "4" is an "unlucky number" in Cantonese (eg. Singaporean) Chinese numerology - see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_numerology#Four

I've only heard about 218s having 8 torpedo tubes (like 6 might be 533mm), PERHAPS 2 MAY be 533s or unfinished for retrofitting as 650mm (with special forces swim out and future missile option) and no vertical silos. see https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Invincible-class_submarine .

Few or no SUBMERGED submarines fire anti-aircraft missiles by any horizontal or vertical means because this announces or better defines their SUBMERGED position for attacking aicraft, optical, radar, sonar sensors and ASW missiles.

As with horizontal torpedo tubes launched anti-ship missiles (for all previous Western SSKs) and, of course horizontal torpedo tube launched Tomahawk missiles on UK SSNs, horizontal torpedo tubes would very likely be the launch mode for 218s.

I think the 218's main mission mode would be to monitor Chinese of other potentially hostile submarines, ships and disguised fishing boats and dinghies while the 218 is sitting stationary or moving up to 4 knots in the Malacca and Singapore Straits. The 218's substantial range/endurance is also for pursuing, blocking or surveilling ships and submarines at greater distances right up to China-Hainan Strait and Andaman Sea working with US ally.

Singapore/218s working with allies and in conjunction with other surface and flying sensor attack platforms helps offset the small numbers of 218s likely available (eg. just 3 x 218s with 4 months notice of an emergency).

Regards

Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete9/14/2020 4:31 PM
Hi Benjamin

Thanks for the interesting issues you raise at September 14, 2020 at 2:38 AM.

See my article response, at https://gentleseas.blogspot.com/2020/09/singapore-more-of-western-ally-than.html dated September 14, 2020.

Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous3/28/2023 2:39 AM
Hi Pete, apols for digging up this old post. Some updates on the MRCV. Interestingly, this looks closer to a destroyer than a frigate if the tonnage is confirmed.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2023/03/singapores-dsta-taps-saab-for-mrcv-design/

Cheers,
TW
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous5/04/2023 4:55 PM
More details on the MRCV have been revealed at IMDEX.

https://www.janes.com/amp/imdex-2023-singapore-to-replace-corvettes-with-frigate-sized-ships-under-mrcv-programme/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2

Cheers,
TW
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete5/04/2023 6:40 PM
Thanks TW at 5/04/2023 4:55 PM re More details on the MRCV have been revealed at IMDEX 2023 in Singapore

The Janes link https://www.janes.com/amp/imdex-2023-singapore-to-replace-corvettes-with-frigate-sized-ships-under-mrcv-programme/ZnlJK3dHVU9mZ28xajRJVkc5dVI5VFp1cVMwPQ2 is article

titled "IMDEX 2023: Singapore to replace corvettes with frigate-sized ships under MRCV programme" by Ridzwan Rahmat May 4, 2023, 03:20 AM

[which states] "The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will soon be equipped with a new class of frigate-sized combatants under a plan to replace the service's six Victory-class corvettes...

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will soon be equipped with a new class of frigate-sized combatants under a plan to replace the service's six Victory-class corvettes with the multirole combat vessel (MRCV).

While earlier computer-generated images issued by the country's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) have long hinted that the MRCV will be larger than the Victory class, official comments on the new vessel's probable size were only provided by the ministry at a recent media briefing ahead of the IMDEX 2023 naval exhibition held in Changi, Singapore.

“The MRCV might be slightly larger than a frigate, but smaller than the LST,” said a MINDEF representative at a media briefing, in reference to the country's Endurance-class landing platform docks (LPDs), which the RSN refers to as ‘landing ship tanks'.

The RSN's Endurance class displaces about 8,000 tonnes at full load, and its Formidable-class frigate has a full-load displacement of about 3,300 tonnes.

MINDEF's most recent computer-generated images indicate a vessel that has an overall length of between 110 and 130 m. The helicopter-capable warship is depicted with a 76 mm naval gun and vertical launching system (VLS) in the forward position, and a space for anti-ship missile launchers amidships. Deck markings in the images indicate that the vessel will accommodate rotor-wing unmanned aerial vehicles on its flight deck and hangar, in addition to helicopters."

Ends
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous5/11/2023 7:13 PM
might not be referring to Singapore formidable frigate size, and it mentioned LST (RSN does not operated any LST and LST are generally bigger than LPD) instead of Endurance LPD. just wondering will be equip with A70 VLS and purchase more S70B Seahawk?

JMMS might be 4x 21000 tons. And can Blue spear be fired from Type 218SG?

MT
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete5/12/2023 11:14 AM
Hi MT

Your questions are fragments rather than full sentences in English. I'm assuming you are from the PRC?

The RSN's 5 Endurance-class LSTs displace 8,500 tonnes full load. This class is listed (right sidepane) https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Endurance-class_landing_platform_dock as being able to take "AS 332M Super Puma or AS532UL/AL Cougar or CH-47SD Chinook helicopters"

"can Blue spear be fired from Type 218SG?" This may be a classified matter. Please consult your MSS or PLA Intelligence.

Cheers Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous11/27/2023 8:26 PM
Good day Pete,

Saab has an excellent new write-up about the RSN's MRCV as well as the existing LMV.

https://www.saab.com/newsroom/stories/2023/basic-design---what-is-required-to-create-the-worlds-most-versatile-ships

Seems like it will be a heavy frigate in terms of size and capability, imho.

Cheers
TW
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete11/29/2023 1:59 PM
Hi TW at 11/27/2023 8:26 PM

I trust Singapore's Navy are quite happy with the current/future surface ships at https://www.saab.com/newsroom/stories/2023/basic-design---what-is-required-to-create-the-worlds-most-versatile-ships

Regards Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies
Anonymous2/28/2024 8:19 PM
Hi Pete,

Nice display by Saab of the SG MRCV concept at the Singapore Airshow. Pics and vids courtesy of user Fz on Twitter.

https://x.com/Fz06572957/status/1762401038211195087?s=20

32 VLS cells in the mockup, but we all know things can change.

Cheers
TW
ReplyDelete
Replies
Pete22/29/2024 3:06 PM
Thanks TW at 2/28/2024 8:19 PM

If only Australia could buy surface ships and subs as efficiently and decisively as Singapore?!

Regards Pete
ReplyDelete
Replies

Add comment

You can comment :)