SINGAPORE, Jan. 26 (Xinhua) -- Singapore launched the eighth and final Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) at the Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine's Benoi Shipyard Saturday.
The LMV, a military vessel poised to replace the current 23-year-old Patrol Vessels in the Singapore Navy fleet, is jointly developed by the Navy and the country's Defense Science Technology Agency (DSTA), and constructed by ST Marine.
Saturday's launch of LMV Fearless marked the completion of the programme, which was commissioned in 2017 by Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong with the launch of the first LMV RSS Independence with greater endurance and higher speed.
Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How said at the Benoi Shipyard in his speech that as a maritime nation, Singapore relies on sea trade significantly.
The newer LMVs will harness technology, enabling the warship to be manned by a smaller crew. The newer vessels will also be able to carry lethal and non-lethal weapons.
"All of these make the LMV a key enabler for the RSN's (the Republic of Singapore Navy) continued ability to respond effectively to a spectrum of threats, to secure our waters, and our access to waters beyond our shores," Heng said.
