Singapore launches second littoral mission vessel

Singapore launched the second littoral mission vessel (LMV) "Sovereignty" on Saturday, which is expected to be operationally ready by 2017.

"Sovereignty" is the second of eight new LMVs that will replace the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s Fearless-class patrol vessels (PVs), which have been in service for 20 years.

Singapore's Deputy Prime Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen and Senior Minister of State for Defence Maliki Osman attended the launching ceremony.

As maritime security landscape is becoming increasingly complex and challenging, it's important to safeguard Singapore's maritime borders and a key way of doing that is for the navy to remain a strong force, said DPM Teo.

Teo also stressed the importance of innovation in boosting RSN's capabilities to safeguard Singapore's waters.

RSN's first LMV "Independence" was launched in July last year. All eight LMVs are expected to be fully operational by 2020.

Source: XINHUA