Singapore Navy to use unmanned mine-hunting ships from 2027

New Straits Times

08-05-2025

SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will roll out a new fleet of unmanned vessels from 2027 to detect and neutralise underwater mines, as part of its efforts to modernise naval capabilities and secure vital maritime routes.
According to The Straits Times, the unmanned mine countermeasure (MCM) systems will be supplied by local technology and engineering firm ST Engineering, which announced on May 7 that it had secured contracts from the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) to deliver the new capabilities.
The suite of systems comprises MCM unmanned surface vessels (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and command and control (C2) infrastructure.
The RSN's Bedok-class MCM vessels, which have been in service since 1995, will remain operational during the transition period, with the new unmanned systems intended to gradually replace them.
ST Engineering said the unmanned systems will be equipped with advanced sensors and secure communication networks, allowing operators to detect and neutralise naval mines from a safe distance.
Data will be transmitted in real time to the C2 Centre, where missions can be monitored and controlled remotely, either from shore or a mothership, it said.
Mindef, in a separate statement on May 7, said the MCM USVs will carry key payloads such as towed synthetic aperture sonars to detect mines and remotely controlled mine neutralisation systems.
The USVs will also feature autonomous navigation systems that incorporate a locally developed collision detection and avoidance algorithm, enabling them to operate safely in the busy Singapore Strait.
"Scheduled for progressive delivery from 2027 onwards, these capabilities will enhance the RSN's ability to respond to evolving maritime security threats," said Mindef.
ST Engineering said it will also supply a simulation system to train navy personnel in a safe, controlled environment.
The system will enable operators to practise decision-making and execute a range of MCM scenarios, said its president of digital systems, Low Jin Phang.
Low said the new suite of MCM unmanned systems builds on the success of the maritime security (Marsec) USVs, which have been patrolling Singapore's waters since January 2025, complementing manned vessels such as littoral mission ships.
Three Marsec USVs have been delivered, with a fourth set to join the fleet later this year.
"We aim to push the boundaries of USVs and AUVs for MCM operations by integrating artificial intelligence, enabling real-time data analysis for faster, more informed decisions," said Low.
Underwater mines have long posed a threat to maritime nations like Singapore, as they are relatively inexpensive to deploy but can severely disrupt military and commercial shipping.
The threat landscape has evolved to include improvised explosive devices, which can be easily deployed by terrorist groups.
Navies worldwide are increasingly turning to unmanned systems to mitigate such risks, with the US Navy deploying Knifefish unmanned underwater vehicles to detect and classify naval mines in both shallow and deep waters.
The RSN's four Bedok-class MCM vessels underwent a midlife upgrade in 2014 to enhance their mine detection and disposal capabilities.
In 2021, the RSN successfully demonstrated that USVs could remotely detect and neutralise underwater threats, reportedly achieving a world-first capability.