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Republic of Singapore Navy

1991 - 1995

Key milestones from 1991 to 1995, including the opening of Tuas Naval Base, commissioning of Victory-class missile corvettes, acquisition of Challenger-class submarines, and the introduction of Mine Countermeasure Vessels.

Last updated 22 July 2025

Opening of Tuas Naval Base

2 September 1994

Officers standing before a statue depicting naval personnel in action during a ceremony.

Tuas Naval Base was built to house our growing Navy. Officially opened on 2 September 1994, many innovations were introduced into its design so that we can do more with less. Smart design created wharfage two and a half times more than that in Brani Naval Base within a much smaller land area. State-of-the-art innovations such as mechanical ramps for vehicles, an automatic storage and retrieval system, and a floating dock (which can lift ships of up to the size of a missile corvette to facilitate ship repairs and maintenance) were built to improve work efficiencies.

Commissioning of Missile Corvettes

1991

Ex-Prime Minister Goh Chok Tong inspecting Singapore Navy personnel during a parade, with naval ships in the background.

Between 1990 and 1991, six Victory-class missile corvettes (MCVs) were commissioned. The introduction of the MCVs helped sharpen the fighting capabilities of the RSN.

Completion of restructuring

18 July 1994

Naval ships sailing in formation on the sea with focus on a ship's deck and radar.

The RSN completed its organisational restructuring with the inauguration of the Training Command (TRACOM). The RSN now comprises Fleet, Coastal Command (COSCOM), TRACOM, Naval Logistics Command (NALCOM), Naval Diving Unit (NDU) and six departments in its Headquarters.

Eyes underwater

1995

A submarine cruising on the surface of the sea, with the national flag on its mast.

This year, the RSN acquired four Challenger-class submarines from the Swedish Royal Navy – a major step forward into the underwater dimension that marked the RSN's development into a balanced, capable Navy. Submarines can undertake stealth operations that could strike at enemy forces on the surface before they could even see it coming. From the Swedish Navy, the RSN also received operational knowledge, and our pioneer submariners were trained in the deep, cold waters of the Baltic Sea and Swedish fjords.

Our minehunters

7 October 1995

Officers in formal attire standing in line on a dock, with naval ships, one labelled M108 in the background.

On 7 October 1995, four Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMV) named RSS Bedok, RSS Kallang, RSS Katong and RSS Punggol were commissioned at Tuas Naval Base.The MCMVs are constructed with glass-reinforced plastic, and fitted with a precision navigation system, integrated mine-hunting sonar system, and mine disposal system to carry out mine-hunting operations.