The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will begin deploying a new fleet of unmanned mine countermeasure (MCM) systems from 2027, as part of its ongoing efforts to modernize naval capabilities and safeguard critical sea lanes. These advanced systems, supplied by local firm ST Engineering, will include unmanned surface vessels (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and a sophisticated command and control infrastructure designed to detect and neutralize underwater mines while keeping personnel out of harm’s way.
The unmanned systems will be equipped with advanced sensors, secure communications, and autonomous navigation technologies—including a locally developed collision detection and avoidance algorithm—enabling safe operations in the busy Singapore Strait. The USVs will carry payloads such as towed synthetic aperture sonars for mine detection and remotely controlled systems for mine neutralization. Real-time data will be transmitted to command centers, allowing remote mission monitoring and control from shore or motherships.
These new capabilities will progressively replace the RSN’s ageing Bedok-class mine-hunting vessels, which have been in service since 1995 and received a midlife upgrade in 2014. During the transition, the Bedok-class ships will remain operational. The shift to unmanned MCM systems reflects a global trend among navies to reduce risk to personnel and improve the efficiency of mine-clearing operations, especially as underwater mines and improvised explosive devices remain a persistent maritime security threat.
In addition to the unmanned fleet, ST Engineering will provide a high-fidelity simulation system for training RSN personnel in realistic mine countermeasure scenarios. This initiative builds on the success of the RSN’s Maritime Security USVs, which have been patrolling Singapore’s waters since January 2025, and demonstrates Singapore’s commitment to leveraging artificial intelligence and advanced robotics to enhance maritime security and operational flexibility.
(Source: The Straits Times)
