The Singapore Navy launches its second combat vessel ‘Valour’: A mother ship for unmanned systems

Singapore launched its second multi-role combat vessel (MRCV) “Valour” at the Benoi yard of ST Engineering on July 23, 2026. The 130-meter-long vessel is designed to be a “mother ship” for unmanned aerial, surface, and subsurface systems, and its high level of automation allows it to operate with a significantly smaller crew than its counterparts.

At a Glance

Vessel: RSS Valour, second MRCV of the Victory class
When/Where: July 23, 2026, Benoi yard of ST Engineering
Dimensions: Length 130 m, Width 19 m, Draft 5.2 m, Crew 110
Role: Mother ship for unmanned aerial/surface/subsurface systems + Command ship
Fleet: Six sister ships; gradual delivery from 2028

Next-generation MRCV multi-role combat platform with advanced sensors, weapons, and networking capabilities. (Illustrative — Modern frigate)

Second Hull in Nine Months

Valour was launched in a ceremony officiated by Minister of National Security K. Shanmugam, just nine months after the first vessel, Victory, was launched in October 2025. This pace reflects the disciplined serial production at ST Engineering and the Singapore Navy’s commitment to renewing its fleet. The six ships inherit the names of their predecessors from the MCV class: Victory, Valour, Vigilance, Valiant, Vigour, and Vengeance.

The design philosophy of the MRCV is based on multiplying power beyond that of a traditional frigate. The ship serves as a floating base for armed and reconnaissance unmanned surface vessels and unmanned aerial vehicles, as well as underwater systems — allowing a single platform to monitor an area far beyond its range and assign dangerous tasks to unmanned systems.

The MRCV is designed to carry and control armed and reconnaissance unmanned surface vessels. (Illustrative — Unmanned Surface Vessel)

Small Crew and High Automation

Despite its length of 130 meters, the Valour carries a crew of only 110 — a direct result of extensive automation, as traditional warships of the same size require much larger crews. Thanks to advanced sensors, weapon systems, and a networked architecture, the MRCV can simultaneously operate as a command ship and a combat platform against various threats. The ships will be delivered gradually starting from 2028.

This “Mother Ship + Unmanned Swarm” approach is rapidly expanding in the navies of the world. The most significant Turkish step in this field came with the TCG Anadolu, which operates drones such as the Bayraktar TB3 and KIZILELMA from the sea, while the ULAQ and MARLIN families are evolving in unmanned surface systems. The Singaporean MRCV demonstrates that even medium-sized navies are moving towards a “single ship, multiple systems” structure.

TCG Anadolu is the most significant Turkish step towards the mother ship concept, as it operates drones from the sea.

RSS Valour (MRCV of the Victory Class) — Specifications

Category	Multi-role Combat Vessel of the Victory Class (MRCV)
Length / Width	130 m / 19 m
Draft	5.2 m
Crew	110 personnel
Primary Role	Mother ship for unmanned aerial/surface/subsurface systems + command
Deck	Deck for a helicopter
Fleet	6 ships (Victory, Valour, Vigilance, Valiant, Vigour, Vengeance)
Delivery	Gradual from 2028
Manufacturer	ST Engineering (Benoi Yard, Singapore)

Sources

Naval News — “ST Engineering Launches Second MRCV for the Singapore Navy” (July 23, 2026)
Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) Press Release (July 23, 2026)
Naval Today; Baird Maritime