Navy deploys unmanned vessels to patrol Singapore's waters

A suspicious vessel has been detected in Singapore waters, and a Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) vessel on patrol races alongside to intercept it, sirens blaring, with voice commands over the loudspeakers ordering the suspect vessel to stop.

- Mike Yeo

But there is no one on board the RSN vessel – a new maritime security unmanned surface vessel (Marsec USV) that began patrolling Singapore waters in 2025.

This advanced vessel is well-equipped to carry out calibrated responses against any potential threats.

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.

A live demonstration of the Marsec USV's capabilities was conducted during a media briefing at Changi Naval Base on Feb 4.

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 USVs' missions range from surveillance of the sea lanes around Singapore to escorting high-value ships and investigating possible maritime threats.