Singapore navy reveals bold plans
The Ministry of Defence has revealed major ambitions for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in coming years.
In a Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day interview on 28 June, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen revealed the RSN is working towards replacing mine-clearing operations with a fully unmanned fleet, making it one of the first in the world to do so.
‘I would say this is part aspiration, part delivered,’ he said, citing REMUS autonomous underwater vehicles that are already in service. The RSN has also begun trials of the ST Electronics Venus 16 unmanned surface vehicle for mine countermeasures duties.
Our news & analysis is now part of Defence Insight®
A Basic-level or higher Defence Insight subscription is now required to view this content.
More from Naval Warfare
-
Euronaval 2026: by the power of six, Fincantieri’s MMMV reflects modular naval shift
The 50m, six-person ship from the Italian shipbuilder carries swappable, containerised payloads instead of a fixed mission, reflecting a shift that is becoming increasingly evident.
-
Canada’s submarine availability under pressure as Chicoutimi is unlikely to return to front-line duties
HMCS Victoria and HMCS Windsor could return from their current deep maintenance, but unconfirmed operational timelines leave questions over patrol capacity before the first CPSP arrives.
-
Patrol vessel demand and partnerships anchor North Africa’s naval market
Fincantieri and Naval Group are positioning for long-term work in Egypt and Morocco as demand for local industrial partnerships grows.
-
UK MoD faces ‘serious’ ASW gap as Defence Committee outlines Arctic requirements
Anti-submarine warfare, uncrewed vessels and seabed monitoring top the demand list in the Defence Committee’s High North roadmap for the 2030s.