Singapore navy's first-of-class Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) RSS Independence has become operation Friday at Changi Naval Base.
The vessel is now fully operational to safeguard the country's waters, defend its sea lines of communication and contribute to regional peace and security, the Singapore government announced Friday.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong commissioned the vessel at Changi Naval Base on Friday (May 5) at an event marking the Singapore navy's 50th anniversary.
The RSS Independence, which was launched in July 2015, is the first of eight LMVs to be commissioned and tasked to replace the fleet of 11 Fearless-class patrol vessels by 2020.
The vessel was designed and built locally by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and the Defence Science and Technology Agency.