Swedish defense contractor Saab and Singapore industry partner Penguin Shipyard International have delivered the first composite superstructure and mast for the Republic of Singapore Navy’s Victory-class Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV) program.
The MRCV is an ongoing initiative introduced by the Southeast Asian country in 2023 to replace its navy’s 1990s-era missile corvettes with six next-generation warships.
The new section, built with carbon-fiber material, will be integrated with the steel hull of the lead Victory platform, which primary contractor ST Engineering launched in October 2025.
According to the companies, the delivery marks Penguin’s “first composite shipbuilding and naval defense project,” while also representing the first time Saab has assembled prefabricated composite panels outside Sweden.
“By integrating composite superstructures into naval ships, our customers benefit from advantages such as low weight, decreased radar cross-section and reduced life-cycle costs,” said Daniel Oscarsson, head of the surface ships business unit at Saab.
Construction of the second vessel is underway, with deliveries to the Singaporean navy scheduled to begin in 2028.
The MRCV System
The Victory-class MRCV has a length of 150 meters (492 feet), a beam of 21 meters (69 feet), and can accommodate up to 100 people.
It will have a speed of over 20 knots (37 kilometers/23 miles per hour) and a range of 7,000 nautical miles (12,964 kilometers/8,055 miles) using an integrated full-electric propulsion system.
For lethality, the vessel will be equipped with anti-ship, anti-air, and anti-submarine missiles, supported by a 30mm remote-controlled weapon system and a 76mm automatic cannon.
Additional features include a helicopter deck, a hangar, and various sensing equipment to ensure the platform’s readiness and precise navigation.
