Klaipėda, Lithuania - The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has officially marked the commencement of its next-generation Offshore Patrol Vessel (OPV) acquisition program. The Singapore Navy announced that the keel laying ceremony for the first and second ships, currently under construction at Western Baltic Shipyard in Klaipėda, Lithuania, was successfully held on April 7th.

The ceremony was attended by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Aaron Beng Yao Cheng and Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Sean Wat Jianwen, along with Singapore Navy and Lithuanian defense officials, representatives from the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), the prime contractor Fassmer of Germany, BLRT Grupp, and Singaporean defense company ST Engineering. Their presence underscored the significant first step in the next-generation OPV program.

Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) had previously announced in November 2023 the final selection of Fassmer of Germany as the builder for four next-generation OPVs. According to the Singapore Navy, these OPVs are being constructed in Lithuania and Germany, respectively.

The new OPVs are slated to replace the Sentinel-class Maritime Security and Response Vessels (MSRVs), which have been operating as interim platforms under the RSN’s Maritime Security and Response Flotilla since 2028.

While MINDEF has not disclosed the detailed specifications or contract value of the new OPVs, it stated that they will be based on a "proven OPV design" currently in service with the German Federal Police (Bundespolizei).

In a statement, the Ministry of Defence explained that "the new OPVs are designed for high maneuverability in Singapore’s busy waters, and will be equipped with weapon systems with both lethal and non-lethal capabilities to provide flexible and graduated responses to a wide spectrum of maritime threats."

Fassmer has previously successfully delivered four 86-meter OPVs, known as the Potsdam-class, to the German Federal Police. These vessels are armed with a BAE Mk110 57mm main gun and feature a rear helicopter deck capable of operating the Singapore Navy’s Airbus H215 Super Puma medium-lift helicopter, as well as space for two boats and five 20-foot containers.

The Singapore Navy plans to replace its 55-meter Maritime Security and Response Vessels, which were built based on the retired Fearless-class patrol vessels and subsequently replaced by the Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs), with these new OPVs.

This next-generation OPV acquisition program is expected to significantly enhance the Singapore Navy's maritime surveillance and security capabilities. Particularly, being based on a proven design from the German Federal Police, the new vessels are anticipated to maintain a high level of reliability and operational capability. The Singapore Navy will continue its efforts in strengthening its fleet to play a crucial role in regional maritime security.

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