An artist's visualisation of Singapore's future MRCV. Steel for the first of class was cut on 8 March 2024. (Singapore Ministry of Defence)
Saab has signed a contract for the delivery of six composite superstructures that will go onboard the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) future multirole combat vessel (MRCV), the company announced on 22 August.
Under the contract, Saab will come up with a detailed design, produce, and assemble the superstructures for these vessels in collaboration with Singapore Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) the company added.
Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) announced in March 2023 that it awarded ST Engineering the contract to design and build six MRCVs for the RSN.
This announcement came just days after the DSTA disclosed it had signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Saab to co-develop and design the MRCVs. These vessels will replace the RSN's fleet of Victory-class corvettes.
Neither of these parties have given detailed specifications of the MRCVs, but a computer-generated imagery accompanying MINDEF's statement on the programme depict a ship with an overall length of between 110 and 130 m.
These images also depict a superstructure and composite mast with reduced radar cross-section (RCS) features, presumably to enhance the vessel's overall stealthiness.
In its statement on 22 August, Saab describes these composite superstructures it will build as having reduced centres of gravity, which enhances the stability of the MRCVs.
“Having been responsible for the basic design of the MRCVs, Saab would continue to work in close collaboration with DSTA, RSN, partners, and the shipbuilder to deliver the MRCVs to the RSN beginning from 2028,” the company added.
Steel for the first MRCV was cut in March 2024.
For more information on the MRCV programme, please see
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