06 November 2019

Singapore's final Littoral Mission Vessel arrives at home port

by Ridzwan Rahmat

The eighth and final Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has been moved to its home base, a representative from Singapore’s Ministry of Defence told Jane’s on 6 November.

Fearless , seen here at its launch ceremony in January 2019. (Singapore Ministry of Defence)

The vessel, which will be in service as RSS Fearless once commissioned, arrived at its home port of Tuas Naval Base on 5 November. It will be inducted into service with the RSN’s 182 Squadron as part of Singapore’s Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF).

Fearless is part of a contract signed between ST Engineering’s marine division and the Singapore Ministry of Defence in 2013, and the vessel was launched in January 2019. The warship is one of four LMVs that is capable of embarking a helicopter on its flight deck.

The Independence class has an overall length of 80 m, an overall beam of 12 m, and a hull draught of 3 m. The vessel displaces 1,250 tonnes at full load and can accommodate a baseline crew of 23, including five officers.

Powered by four MTU 20V 4000 M93 engines, the class can attain top speeds of more than 27 kt and a standard range of 3,500 n miles (6,482 km) at 15 kt.

Each LMV is equipped with one Oto Melara 76/62 Super Rapid naval gun in the primary position, two Oto Melara Hitrole 12.7 mm remote-controlled weapon stations (one each on the port and starboard sides), and one Rafael 25 mm Typhoon gun system mounted at the aft section.

The eighth and final Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) on order for the Republic of S...

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