ST Engineering has launched the first Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) at its Benoi Yard in Singapore.
Named Victory, this vessel is the lead ship in a planned fleet of six MRCVs, following a design and construction contract awarded by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence in March 2023.
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The launching ceremony, officiated by Singapore’s Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, was attended by Minister of State for Defence Desmond Choo and Defence Force Chief Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, among others.
Minister Chan said: “Today, our strategic lines of communications extend much further. That is why we need new capabilities, working together as an integrated SAF, to defend and secure our sea lines of communications, and to make sure that no one with ill intent can disrupt our day-to-day. It is critical to our lives and our livelihoods, and also to the global economy because of the critical geostrategic location that Singapore is in.”
The MRCVs, measuring 150 metres in length and displacing 8,000 tonnes, have an operational range of more than 7,000 nautical miles.
They are designed to operate as motherships for various uncrewed aerial, surface, and underwater systems within naval operations.
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By GlobalDataEquipped with advanced sensors and weapon systems, the Victory-class MRCVs can be deployed for diverse missions, while also serving as command ship for Singapore Armed Forces missions.
MRCV Victory was designed with 3D modelling and digital twinning to test and refine virtually before construction commenced.
This reduces the need for expensive prototypes, minimised design revisions, decreased material waste, and faster delivery of a mothership, ST Engineering said.
ST Engineering marine president Tan Leong Peng said: “Our extensive experience in turnkey naval shipbuilding gives us the capabilities to deliver large, complex vessels like the MRCV. Being the first of its class, MRCV Victory requires advanced engineering and design precision execution across every stage of construction, a level of expertise that is evident in the launch of the vessel today.”
Following its launch, the vessel will move to Gul Yard in Singapore for outfitting and integration of platform and combat systems, followed by acceptance trials.
Simultaneously, the pioneer crew will undergo training to prepare for operational deployment in the future.
ST Engineering aims to deliver the fleet from 2028 onwards.
These MRCVs will gradually replace the existing Victory-class Missile Corvettes, while retaining their names as a tribute.
Earlier in 2025, Singapore announced plans to expand its Invincible-class submarine fleet from four to six vessels.
Data and analytics firm GlobalData projects that by 2029, Singapore’s defence spending will hit an all-time high of $19.7bn.
From 2020 to 2024, the country had dedicated an average of 3.5% of its GDP to its defence budget.
