Article Posted on : - Sep 15, 2014

Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Yeng Kit (right) officiating at the Keel Laying Ceremony of RSN's first Littoral Mission Vessel. Photo: Singapore MoD

SINGAPORE (BNS): The keel laying ceremony has been held for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s first Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV).

Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Yeng Kit officiated the ceremony held last Thursday at Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine) in Jurong, the Ministry of Defence said in a statement.

This LMV is the first of eight new LMVs to be built for the RSN by ST Marine, together with ST Electronics and DSO National Laboratories.

The Defence Science and Technology Agency is the overall programme manager and systems integrator for the LMV programme.

The LMVs, to be equipped with advanced combat systems, will be highly versatile and capable of embarking on various mission modules to fulfil a full spectrum of operations.

To enable enhanced operational efficiency with a leaner crew size, cutting-edge technologies and innovative concepts have been integrated into the design of the LMVs.

The LMVs will replace the existing Fearless-class Patrol Vessels, which have served the RSN well for close to 20 years.