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Republic of Singapore Navy

1981 - 1985

Key events from 1981 to 1985, including the introduction of locally designed Coastal Patrol Crafts, revitalisation of RSN's capabilities, and the Navy's response to the Sentosa Cable Car Incident.

Last updated 22 July 2025

Our very own design and built

1981

Naval patrol boat cutting through water with crew visible on the deck.

The Swift-class coastal patrol crafts (CPCs) were added to RSN's arsenal of capabilities. The first vessels designed and built locally, the CPCs complemented the PCs' constabulary duties in protecting Singapore's immediate waters. This helped to relieve the MGBs of daily patrol, allowing the MGBs to focus on naval warfare operations. In 1993, the CPCs were transferred to the Police Coast Guard, where they continued to perform coastal patrol missions until 2012.

Acquisition of Coastal Patrol Craft

20 October 1981

Line of naval officers in white uniforms standing at attention beside several docked patrol boats.

With its mission refocused and its strategy redefined, the RSN embarked on a process of revitalisation. The decision to acquire 12 Coastal Patrol Craft (CPC) was significant in contributing to the revitalisation of the RSN. Designed and built locally, they were commissioned in October 1981. The CPCs helped to relieve the Missile Gunboats from the task of daily patrols, which allowed the strike squadron to focus on honing its war-fighting skills.

Sentosa Cable Car Incident

29 January 1983

Group of young men assisting a diver climbing back into a boat from the water.

The naval divers were activated to assist in the search and recovery operation of two cable cars that plunged into the water off Jardine Steps after the mast of a drill ship severed the cables of the cable car line.