MINDEF has signed a contract with Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) for the detailed design and construction of six Multi-Role Combat Vessels (MRCVs) to replace the existing Victory-class Missile Corvettes (MCVs) in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). The six MRCVs will be delivered progressively from 2028 onwards.

The MRCV employs key technologies such as configurable modular payloads and unmanned systems, allowing the vessel to function as a "mothership" for unmanned drones and vessels to conduct a range of missions from peace to war.

The MCVs have been serving with distinction since 1989 and will remain in operational service until the MRCVs are delivered and operationalised.

Fact Sheet: Mid-life Upgrades to Formidable-class Frigates

Background

The Formidable-class frigates are the principal combatants of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN), and form the sharp edge of its fighting force to defend Singapore and protect our vital sea lines of communication. Since the commissioning of the first frigate in 2007, the frigates have pushed the operating envelope for the RSN across all dimensions – air, surface and underwater – in the maritime domain. Having been in service for close to two decades, the frigates will be upgraded to ensure they retain the capability and flexibility to meet evolving operational demands.

Enhancements to Frigates

In close collaboration with the Defence Science and Technology Agency as well as DSO National Laboratories, key upgrades in the frigate mid-life upgrade programme will comprise the following:

a. Enhanced Command & Control (C2) System. The frigates' Combat Management System (CMS) will be enhanced to harness the latest developments in advanced technologies such as in artificial intelligence. Together with improved sensors, this will enable the frigates to detect and react faster to potential threats.

b. Enhanced Combat Systems. Upgrades will be made to the frigates' weapons and communication systems. Besides preventing technology obsolescence, the frigates' weapon systems will be upgraded to be more lethal and accurate, while the ships' communication systems will be refreshed to increase the networking capacity of the frigates with the rest of the SAF.

c. Enhanced Operational Readiness. The Fleet Management System will be incorporated into the upgraded frigates. Information collected on the ships' platform and combat systems health status will be collated and used for pre-emptive engineering actions, to enhance the frigates' operational readiness.

The recessed ports are made for Meteor it seems.

I'm wondering why is this so? Not cleared for Amraams which has a different shape or future AAMs?

Note: one of the reasons Sg did not opt for Rafales is that the US refused to clear Amraams on the plane. It is a reasonable tactical move by the US which led to Rafales ouster from the competition which saw the F15Sg won.

Air forces want commonality to reduce costs and ease of use.

Also the missile fins appear smaller - does it mean modified Meteor missile?

Likely They built the plane to be a bit more independent from the US.

Not to dissimilar with SAF which used phyton & derby of GBAD while using MICA & aster 15 for RSN. Logically it would be much more cost & operationally effective to just standardized on sidewinder,amraam,ESSM for all the 3 branches of military.

Not just one but not to many. So you manage the risks.

RSAF uses US + Israeli + local munitions.

RSAF F16s have already seen with DASH which is linked to Pythons and Derbies.

RSN uses French + US (phasing out) + Israeli + local munitions e.g. new 5th gen SSMs.

VL MICA (on LMV - these will be upgraded to VL MICA NG in future) and soon VL MICA NG (for MRCV and upgraded Formidables) and Aster 15s/30s (Aster 15s will be phased out and RSN will just use Aster 30s with VL MICA NG) are from MBDA.

Essm are basically just amraam and python & mica are basically amraam alternative.  Most military would just use 1 of it for their 3 branches rather than having all 3 for cost & operational efficiencies.

Basically SG like SK are diversifying away from US dependency. SK had diversified the other 2 branches and the AF is the last one to do so. If this trend continues then the F15SG replacement won't be American.

Like I said. Diversification of risks. So you go for two at most. Any more and it'll strain your logistics. + They could be other benefits like tech sharing which will benefit Sg (not so much as in local production) but better appreciation of how these systems work. So they can integrate these weapons better and be in a better position to decide on future buys.

I have to agree with you on the F15Sg replacements. I doubt Sg or even Japan or Australia will get their hands on the 6th Gen  US NGAD fighter (which replaced the F22) or that it will take a long time.

The other options is the Tempest. The French-German 6th gen fighter is also a possibility but less likely as I don't think the US will get her cleared for the latest US weapons.

I expect the F15SGs which is already a 4.5 Gen aircraft to be upgraded by sometime end 2030 or early 2030. The search for a replacement will begin in the 2030s and a new aircraft will be inducted sometime 2040 (by which time the F15Sgs would be flying for >30 years). Yes, I know SAF graphics show the F15Sgs in 2040 but that is because the Sg hasn't started the process of replacing them yet.

Diversifying away from US is expensive.

Not just for Intergration cost but also the fact one can't just relied on US missiles stockpiling. Military eat missiles for lunch during war and thus it indicates that  the country that diversity forsee no conflict in the future or they don't want to follow US into a foreseeable future conflict.

Diversifying away militarily would also mean US also had no good reason to bribe the country in question with preferential access to her market , tech & IP compared to countries that Increasing her reliance on US. Thus a diversifying away from US economically as well.