While many nations, including the United States, have struggled to build a well-balanced fleet of modern littoral warships, Singapore has met the challenge with a fleet of eight Independence-class littoral mission vessels (LMVs). Not to be confused with the U.S. Navy’s Independence-variant littoral combat ships, Singapore’s LMVs were locally designed, with significant assistance from the Swedish firm Saab. They were built between 2014 and 2020 by Singapore Technologies Marine shipyard at Benoi.
Well-suited for protecting sea lines of communication in crowded regional waters, the LMVs replace the smaller Fearless-class patrol ships that entered service in the late 1990s. Construction on the first ship began in 2014, and the Independence was launched in 2015 and commissioned in May 2017. Sisters Sovereignty and Unity entered the fleet in November 2017, and the Justice and Indomitable were commissioned in 2018. The final three LMVs, the Fortitude, Dauntless, and Fearless, entered service together during a commissioning ceremony at Tuas naval base on 31 January 2020.
Measuring 262.5 feet with a 39-foot beam and 10-foot draft, Singapore’s LMVs displace 1,250 tons. Because of extensive automation and efficiencies, crew size has been reduced to only 23 sailors, including 5 officers, with space available for 38 additional personnel as requirements dictate. The design incorporates a steel hull with composite superstructure, reportedly featuring protection against chemical, biological, nuclear, and radioactive threats. An integrated command center provides 360-degree visual coverage and colocates bridge/navigation, combat information center, and machinery control spaces for ease of operation.
The design’s inherent flexibility enables the warships to be adapted for a variety of missions, ranging from patrol and humanitarian assistance/disaster relief to surveillance and mine countermeasures. An internal mission bay can house up to four, 20-foot equivalent unit containers to support operational needs. A modular mast houses the Thales NS100 active electronically scanned array radar. The LMVs also carry a Kelvin Hughes SharpEye navigation radar, STELOP 360 day/night camera surveillance system, and Compass D electro-optic director.
Defensive systems include Elta electronic support measures, Rafael electronic countermeasures, and associated decoy systems. Armament consists of a dozen vertical launch system (VLS) cells fitted forward of the bridge for short-range Mica surface-to-air missiles and an OTO Melara Super Rapid 76-mm gun, mounted forward of the VLS. Two remotely operated Hitrole 12.7-mm gun mounts are carried, one port and one starboard. A single 25-mm Rafael Typhoon weapon station faces aft, over the helicopter flight deck.
The flight deck is designed for unmanned aerial vehicles or a medium helicopter, such as the S-70 Seahawk. Stern ramps can operate two rigid-hull inflatable boats (RHIBs) or unmanned surface vessels. The RHIB ramps can alternatively be covered, allowing for more deck space to accommodate additional weapons or sensors. Less-than-lethal capabilities include long-range acoustic devises with Xenon lights, and a water cannon system.
Propulsion is provided by four diesels in combined diesel and diesel configuration powering two shafts, enabling a top speed of 27 knots. Range is 3,500 nautical miles at 18 knots cruising speed.
