The Singapore Navy on February 4 announced that it has deployed unmanned surface vessels (Marsec USVs) for maritime patrol missions, beginning in 2025.
A live demonstration of the Marsec USV’s capabilities was conducted during a media briefing at Changi Naval Base on Feb 4.
Accordingly, a suspicious vessel has been detected in Singapore waters, and a Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) vessel on patrol races alongside to intercept it.
Besides a long-range acoustic device to hail other vessels using sirens or to issue voice commands, it has a laser dazzler to disorient suspects and a machine gun that can be operated remotely by its operators ashore.
Three of these vessels are already in service, conducting a variety of maritime security missions in Singapore’s waters alongside RSN’s other ships. A fourth will join the fleet later in the year.
The Marsec USV, measuring 16.9m long and weighing 30 tonnes, is powered by two diesel engines that drive a pair of water jets, enabling it to attain speeds in excess of 25 knots, or 46kmh, and to stay out at sea for as long as 36 hours.
The USVs’ missions range from surveillance of the sea lanes around Singapore to escorting high-value ships and investigating possible maritime threats./.
VNA
