Senior Minister for State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman officiated at the launching ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s fourth Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV), Justice, at the Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine)'s Benoi shipyard today. The LMV was launched by Mdm Sadiah Shahal, wife of Dr Maliki. 

Speaking at the ceremony, Dr Maliki highlighted that given the increasingly volatile maritime domain, the LMVs aptly illustrate how the RSN is "looking ahead to the next 50 years to make sure it stays relevant and ready for the challenges ahead." He added, "the RSN has designed the LMV to conduct a wider range of operations in a more complex environment. It will give the RSN greater mission flexibility and sustainability." 

The launch of Justice is another significant milestone in the RSN's continued transformation to keep Singapore's seas safe. The LMVs are faster, more versatile, and equipped with sharper capabilities to further strengthen the RSN's effectiveness in seaward defence. The LMVs can be quickly configured with mission modules to take on a wide spectrum of operations, allowing the crew to deliver calibrated responses using lethal and non-lethal options to deal with a range of maritime threats. 

The LMV project is progressing well, with LMV Justice expected to be fully operational by 2018, and all eight LMVs by 2020. The first three LMVs, Independence, Sovereignty and Unity, are presently undergoing sea trials and LMV Independence will be commissioned during the RSN's Golden Jubilee on 5 May 2017. 

Also present at the ceremony were Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Lai Chung Han and senior officials from the RSN.