SINGAPORE — The Republic of Singapore Navy will introduce a new fleet of unmanned mine-hunting vessels starting in 2027 to bolster maritime security and modernize its operations.

Local firm ST Engineering will supply the systems, which include unmanned surface vessels (USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles (AUVs), and a command-and-control center. These systems are designed to detect and neutralize naval mines remotely using advanced sensors, AI, and secure communication.

The unmanned fleet will gradually replace the existing Bedok-class mine countermeasure ships. The USVs will feature collision avoidance technology and real-time data streaming to ensure safe operations in the busy Singapore Strait.

Training simulators will also be introduced to prepare RSN personnel for a variety of mine-clearing scenarios. This move reflects a global naval trend toward unmanned solutions for dealing with evolving maritime threats.