Victory-class multi-role combat vessel

An infographic released by the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) on 30 June 2018 depicted the multi-role combat vessel (MRCV). At a media conference for Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) Day on 1 July, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen confirmed plans for the proposed MRCV. The vessel was later discussed during the Committee of Supply debate in Parliament on 1 March 2019, which focused on future SAF procurements. The MRCV was again included in a 2019 document "Building the Next Generation Singapore Armed Forces", alongside the Invincible-class submarine and joint multi-mission ship, as part of the RSN's upcoming acquisitions. In November 2019, Chief of Navy Lew Chuen Hong said that the RSN was establishing "detailed procedures" for the planning and design phases of the MRCV. The contract for the procurement for six MRCVs was signed with ST Engineering Marine Ltd on 27 March 2023. The RSN reaffirmed its intention to acquire a new class of vessels to replace the aging Victory-class missile corvettes, which were first commissioned in 1989, on 27 April 2023. ==Design and construction==

Swedish firm Saab Kockums and Danish firm Odense Maritime Technology (OMT) were originally two of the competitors for the MRCV program, with the Swedish basing its design on the Visby-class corvette and the Danish on the Absalon-class and Iver Huitfeldt-class frigates. They subsequently merged their designs to form a single proposal, using Saab Kockums' combat and propulsion systems together with OMT's hull design and payload management system. OMT is officially a subcontractor to Saab Kockums, but the two companies proceeded on the bid on an equal basis, ultimately winning over other bids for the MRCV program. The Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) signed a contract with Saab Kockums for the latter to provide six composite superstructures for the MRCV on 22 August 2024. Saab Kockums will develop detailed designs and handle the production and assembly of the composite superstructure in partnership with OMT. The composite superstructure is claimed to improve the ship's stability by lowering the center of gravity, weighing 50% lighter than steel. The lead ship was launched at ST Engineering's Benoi Yard on 21 October 2025 by the spouse of Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing, in a ceremony officiated by the minister. Gul Yard will then take over Victory's fitting out and sea trials. As of April 2026, the MRCV program had reached the stage where work was progressing on four hulls simultaneously. ==Capabilities==

MINDEF has stated that the MRCV will perform two main functions: to carry out the combat operations typical of a modern frigate and act as the "mothership" for an array of unmanned forces, with the ability to deploy unmanned aerial vehicles, unmanned surface vessels, and autonomous underwater vehicles. Its mission bay contains room for eight mission modules, enabling the MRCV's weapon complement and embarked assets to be customized and upgraded according to operational needs, including humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) missions. There will be two launch and recovery systems (LARS) for small craft, one on the port side and the other at the stern. It also has a built-in simulator, reducing the reliance on shore-based facilities for training. Its powerplant is reported to be capable of generating 30MW of electricity. Armaments The main gun of the MRCV will be the STRALES 76mm Guided Gun, developed by Leonardo. Leonardo also offered the Hitrole for the secondary gun armament, but lost out to Rafael's Typhoon Mk-30c 30mm Remotely-Controlled Weapon System. The MRCV is expected to embark a mixture of VL MICA NG and Aster 30 BlNT surface-to-air missiles, variants which are currently in use on the Independence-class littoral mission vessels and Formidable-class frigates respectively, making it the first RSN platform to utilize both. While the MRCV's surface-to-surface missile has not been announced, Naval News reported in 2023 that the Blue Spear surface-to-surface missile, in joint development between ST Engineering and Israel Aerospace Industries, has been chosen. As of 2023, EuroTorp's MU90 Impact and Leonardo's A244 torpedo were under consideration for the MRCV's underwater warfare suite. Sensors Four active electronically scanned arrays can be integrated into the forward mast; the Sea Fire multifunction radar will be provided by Thales. Electro-Optical/Infra-Red (EO/IR) camera equipment will be provided by Safran. ==Ships in class==

The MRCVs will reuse the names and pennant numbers of the Victory-class missile corvettes. == See also ==