SINGAPORE — The Republic of Singapore Navy has come far in the last 50 years, rising from the spartan conditions of its birth to become an admired naval force in the region. We look back at the key milestones of its growth over the years.
1. Inception: May 5, 1967
RSS Panglima, the navy’s first vessel. Photo: Navy museum via Victor Loh/TODAY
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) started out as the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force (SNVF), which first raised its white-and-red ensign at Telok Ayer Basin on the evening of May 5, 1967. It only had two wooden ships then, the RSS Panglima and RSS Bedok. A third ship, RSS Singapura, had to be moored to serve as the navy headquarters.
2. First ship to be acquired, post-independence: 1969-1970
The first new ship to be acquired by the navy, RSS Independence. Photo: Navy museum via Victor Loh/TODAY
As the Singapore’s first new warship, the RSS Independence was launched in the United Kingdom in 1969 and commissioned in Singapore a year later. Singapore would go on to acquire six of these Independence-class patrol crafts, which were equipped with radar and automated turrets.
3. First naval diplomatic mission: 1972
Navy plaques and memorabilia from foreign navies on display at the navy museum. Photo: Navy museum via Victor Loh/TODAY
The navy’s first goodwill visit and overseas training exercise was with the Indonesian Navy in 1972. Since then, naval diplomacy has been a key pillar of the RSN’s mission, with regular training exercises with foreign navies, and overseas port-of-calls.
4. First integration with the Air Force: 1973
The first maritime patrol aircraft, The Sky Vans, were acquired for maritime operations in 1973, and were jointly operated by the Navy and Air Force. Maritime air surveillance missions were later conducted in 1988 by the Sky Vans, with the RSN crest added on the planes in 1992 to signify its maritime defence role.
5. First naval base: 1974
A plaque commemorating the official opening of Brani Naval Base by Mr Lee Kuan Yew. Photo: Navy museum via Victor Loh/TODAY
Brani Naval Base was officially opened by late founding Prime Minister Mr Lee Kuan Yew in 1974. The RSN called it home for 26 years until 2000, when they moved to Changi Naval Base.
6. First missile firing in the region: 1974
A replica of a harpoon missile on display at the navy museum. Photo: Navy museum via Victor Loh/TODAY
The RSN entered the missile age in 1974 when its missile gunboats (MGBs) successfully fired an anti-ship missile, the Gabriel Surface-to-Surface Missile (SSM).
This marked the first time a navy in the region successfully fired a missile.
7. First “made in Singapore” vessel: 1979
The Swift-class coastal patrol craft was the first locally built vessel to be acquired for use by the RSN in 1979. Two years later, 12 vessels were commissioned, helping to augment patrolling duties for the growing RSN.
8. First submarine: 1995
The first of four Challenger-class submarines was acquired in 1995 from the Swedish Royal Navy as the RSN began building its underwater capabilities.
9. First women officers: 1992
On the navy’s 25th anniversary in 1992, its first two female naval officers were commissioned. To date, about 10 female naval officers have taken command of RSN warships, while women make up eight per cent of RSN’s staff strength.
10. Golden Jubilee: May 5, 2017
The navy ensign and commissioning pennant hoisted up the newly commissioned LMV RSS Independence. Photo: Nuria Ling/TODAY
The RSN celebrated its Golden Jubilee with the commissioning of its latest ship, the Littoral Mission Vessel RSS Independence.
