Singapore Navy Cuts Steel on Unmanned Mine Countermeasures USVs from 2027

Singapore Navy Launches Steel-Cut for Next-Gen Unmanned Mine Countermeasure Fleet

Mohd Hanif Ismail - : Nov 17, 2025 - : 1:58 pm

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The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has taken a major step in modernising its mine warfare capabilities with a steel-cutting ceremony held at ST Engineering’s Gul Yard on 13 November 2025. The ceremony, officiated by Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat, formally marked the beginning of construction for the Navy’s first Mine Countermeasures (MCM) Unmanned Surface Vessels (USVs).

This development comes as part of a broader contract awarded by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) to ST Engineering for a comprehensive suite of unmanned mine countermeasure systems — including USVs, autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and a dedicated command-and-control (C2) centre — as first reported by ST Engineering in a press release earlier this year.

According to a report which covered the plate-cutting event, Rear Admiral Wat pressed a button to initiate the steel-cutting process, signifying the transition from design to physical construction. The ceremony marks a key milestone for the programme, with deliveries expected to begin from 2027 onwards.

The MCM USVs are intended to systematically replace the ageing Bedok-class mine countermeasures vessels. These existing vessels, built in the 1990s, have served Singapore for decades. The new unmanned vessels will carry modern payloads, such as towed synthetic aperture sonars (TSAS) for seabed survey, mine-neutralisation systems, and even remote-weapon and less-lethal systems to enable rapid reconfiguration for secondary maritime security roles.

A key feature of the new USVs is their autonomous navigation system, which incorporates an indigenously developed collision detection and avoidance (CDCA) algorithm, designed specifically for safe operations in congested waters like the Singapore Strait. Real-time data gathered by the USVs and AUVs will be transmitted to a secure C2 centre, allowing remote operations either from shore or from a mothership — reducing risk to personnel by keeping them away from potentially mined areas.

Furthermore, the USVs will be complemented by advanced robotic systems supplied by French company Exail, including underwater drones (such as the SEASCAN for identification and expendable K-STER drones for neutralisation), inertial navigation systems, forward-looking sonar, and a launch-and-recovery system to deploy these assets from the USV. The integration of these systems will bolster the RSN’s ability to detect, classify, and neutralise mines more effectively and with reduced human risk.

In addition, the USV fleet will be supported by the Thales Pathmaster mine warfare system. This includes the TSAS, MiMap sonar data analytics, and the M-Cube mission management suite — a combination that promises enhanced mine classification and operational decision-making even in busy maritime zones. Local maintenance and support will be provided via Thales’s Singapore Defence Hub, which underscores the strategic localisation of advanced naval capabilities.

From an Asia-Pacific perspective, Singapore’s move reflects a broader regional trend: navies in the region increasingly embrace unmanned systems to counter maritime threats, especially mine warfare, while also reducing platform risk and crew exposure. The RSN’s USV-AUV-C2 suite is not merely a national upgrade but may also signal Singapore’s ambition to be a leader in next-generation unmanned maritime capabilities in Southeast Asia.

This shift also coincides with Singapore’s ongoing naval modernisation. Alongside the MCM USV programme, the RSN is building multi-role combat vessels (MRCVs) designed to host and deploy unmanned systems. The synergies between the USVs and MRCVs could provide Singapore with a modular, flexible force architecture that is well-suited to the crowded and strategically vital sea lanes of the Asia-Pacific.