NavalNews recently published an article about Saab Kockums and ST Engineering offering the Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) to Estonia. The article featured a video interview with Maxwell Linton, Head of Sales for Saab Kockum at biennial UK based Defence and Security Equipment International DSEI 2025. The video (below and embedded in the article) revealed the basic model for the Ytstridsfartyg 2030 (YSF2030) or Luleå-class a >120m frigate sized "corvette" (in the middle, below). This, Sweden's next-generation surface ship program. Also of interest are the two models that were shown with the YSF model.
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| Image capture from Naval News video. --- |
Displayed alongside are models of the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) upcoming 150m Multi Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) and the in service 80m Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV). The YSF model shows its comparative size (if all models are to similar scale), and shares design similarities in the bridge, superstructure and location of a flex deck/missile deck.
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| Image capture from Naval News video. --- |
In an article in March 2024, I mentioned that the YSF2030 program was revised due to Russia's 2022 invasion of Ukraine and Sweden's entry into NATO. The initial intent was for an around 80m Visby replacement class, which then morphed into an around 120m, larger, more capable platform to handle NATO commitments. Still, apart from a silhouette released by the Swedish Defence Material Administration (FMV), few details have been released.
What we do know now is that Sweden still requires the first of four ships to be in service in 2030, with all four delivered by 2035. This timeline is frankly overly ambitious, which is why the FMV has also researched into 'military of the shelf' solutions such as Naval Group's FDI frigate.
As for the Singaporean designs, Saab Kockum and Danish company Odense Maritime Technology OMT , jointly developed the design for the 6-ship 150m MRCV program from aspects of the Iver Huitfeldt-class and Visby-class. Saab will supply its composite superstructures. Saab Kockum also contributed to the design of the Independence-class LMVs and provided the composite superstructure for this class.
As the video below elaborates, the appearance of both Singaporean warships at Saab Knockum's booth caught the eye of Xavier Vavasseur from Naval News. He spoke to Maxwell Linton about Saab offering the MRCV and LMV variants to European countries, in particular, Estonia, which requires 10-12 naval vessels by 2035 for several roles, all of which could be filled by the LMV, which has proven its modular system and unmanned capabilities in RSN service.Estonia is also the first nation to operate the Israeli/Singaporean Blue Spear SSM.
As this video shows, Linton was light on details about which European countries Saab Kockums has approached, apart from Estonia. This is likely because OMT could be positioning the MRCV for the upcoming Danish air warfare defence frigate replacement program.
15 comments:
Interesting to see container modules next to the ASM launchers of the MRCV as shown in the video at the 6:08 mark. Countless possibilities.
TW
Hi Shawn
Thanks for a very interesting article.
Regarding "He spoke to Maxwell Linton about Saab offering both types to European countries".
Of the three (MRCV, YSF and LMV) what are the "both types"?
Cheers Pete
Both Singaporean navy ships.
The YSF is exclusive to Sweden, for now.
Hi Anonymous @ 10/01/2025 1:51 pm.
Yea, like a maximum war loadout of forty Blue Spear ASMs
European navies could use a boost, now that the Russian Navy is becoming more active:
Fuel leak blows cover for alleged Russian submarine Novorossiysk off
Gibraltar:
https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20251001-russia-submarine-gibraltar-fuel-leak-mediterranean-risk-explosion
Feh. Why bother with all these smaller ships when the Battleship is about to
make a comeback (at least according to Trump)? :) :) :)
"Trump’s surprise remarks at Quantico reignited speculation over whether
Iowa-class battleships could be restored to service, citing $31B tariffs, armor
strength, and shells cheaper than missiles."
Source:
https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2025/could-us-iowa-class-battleships-really-return-to-service-after-trumps-surprise-remarks
Thanks Shawn :)
Thanks for the article Pete. IMO Australia could learn a lot from Singapore. Their defense force is small but high quality. Their procurement is very efficient. High quality ships, subs and planes are ordered without delay.
After the PNG treaty, Australia should seriously consider something similar with Singapore. IF USA retreats from Asia, then Japan, Korea and Singapore are Australia's most logical security partners in Asia IMO. India would be good too but they rarely commit themselves to others on security
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-07/singapore-wants-to-expand-its-military-ties-with-australia/105856094
Hi Anonymous at 10/02/2025 2:59 AM
As https://www.france24.com/en/europe/20251001-russia-submarine-gibraltar-fuel-leak-mediterranean-risk-explosion suggests Novorossiysk, a Russian Kilo class SSK, may be intelligence gathering in the Mediterranean.
Since access to the Black Sea is blocked by treaty due to russia's invasion of Ukraine and Russia lost https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tartus_naval_base in Syria, major maintenance jobs to this sub would require towing or lift ship transporting to russia's Baltic Sea or Arctic bases for heavy repairs.
Hi Anonymous at 10/02/2025 6:04 AM
Reading https://www.armyrecognition.com/news/navy-news/2025/could-us-iowa-class-battleships-really-return-to-service-after-trumps-surprise-remarks
Returning 80 year old Iowa-class battleships to duty are a measure of Trumpen golfer's and Department of War boy Hegseth's total ignorance of modern naval vessels and their disdain for Admiral's advice.
Of retuurned to service Iowas: mainly of propaganda/PR value; immensely expensive to recommission; updating electronics/sensors may cost about US$1 Billion per ship; 16 inch gun system very inaccurate, short range and dangerous to crew, compared to Tomahawks; too vulnerable for shore bombardment; labor intensive with around 1,500 crew who would need massive retraining programs to long dead skills; armour obsolete given Chinese and Russian missiles can target bridge/command center directly.
In most respects a modern USN Arleigh Burke class destroyer or cruiser would be superior and more economical.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Iowa-class_battleship
Hi Scott at 10/07/2025 10:07 AM
Actually Shawn, from Singapore, wrote the article.
Australia also has a "small but high quality" defence force. Singapore has national service aka the draft.
Yes Singapore's "procurement is very efficient." compared to Australia's highly inefficient, politicised procurement system, especially Aus home building submarines at 3 times the standard price.
As Singapore is almost a one party state - ruled continuously by the https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/People%27s_Action_Party , high quality ships, subs and planes are ordered without delay.
Agree closer defence ties with Singapore would be a good idea. At present Australia is a frequent training ground for Singaporean personnel and our intelligence ties are close.
Thanks for https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-10-07/singapore-wants-to-expand-its-military-ties-with-australia/105856094 . Singapore is probably of more defence value to Australia than the UK is to Australia (this side of UK SSN-AUKUSes in about 2048).
Our obsequious attitude to the US is due to the US being our most protective ally, especially when US isolationist ignorance is replaced by good internationalist sense, again
Cheers Pete
Dear Pete,
the lastest complement of the Iowas was around 1200 men. That's about 4 times the amount of an Arleigh Burke. I would like to add the costs for a complete new propulsion system but that could reduce crew requirement. Also the remaining 5 inch guns could be replaced with something more modern like a Otobreda 127/64. On the other side I think the 16 inch shell could be improved allot like the 155mm. https://www.nammo.com/story/the-range-revolution/
Then an Iowa could fire a salvo of about 1200 missile like projectiles (~ 18 rounds per minute) at distances of more than 200 km. It depends on how expensive the US military can make such a round: see USS Zumwalt ...
Regards,
MHalblaub
Hi MHalblaub at 10/11/2025 1:23 AM
Since the Iowas first operated in WWII the cost of manpower and difficulty recruiting men is much greater. So even a smaller crew of 1,200 is a lot. As you rightly say "about 4 times the amount of an Arleigh Burke".
Yes "the [high] costs for a complete new propulsion system [could be offset by a reduced engineer] crew requirement." I agree "the remaining 5 inch guns could be replaced with something more modern like a Otobreda 127/64."
The United States battleship retirement debate has become a broad study in itself https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_battleship_retirement_debate especially https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_battleship_retirement_debate#Alternatives_to_battleship_gunfire
True "an Iowa could fire a salvo of about 1200 missile like projectiles (~ 18 rounds per minute) at distances of more than 200 km"
But already the latest US Arleigh Burke class destroyers can each fire: 96 Tomahawks out to 1,500 km; 8 Harpoons or Naval Strike Missiles; and many 5 inch/ 127mm shells.
Also the future Block V Virginia class subs each firing 40 Tomahawks.
I won't get started on the US's numerous bomber/fighter-bomber aircraft :)
Cheers Pete
https://www.channelnewsasia.com/singapore/multi-role-combat-vessel-mrcv-navy-warship-mindef-5414746
First of the Victory-class MRCVs has been launched.
Cheers
TW
Hi TW at 10/21/2025 9:10 PM
I'm envious. Contract award until launch was only 2 1/2 years https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Republic_of_Singapore_Navy#Future_procurement_plans reports :
"Contract for the procurement for six multi-role combat vessels (MRCV) was signed between ST Engineering Marine Ltd and SAAB on 28 March 2023 "
It would have taken Australia 10 years.
Cheers Pete
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