Singapore Technologies Marine has held a keel-laying ceremony for the Republic of Singapore Navy's first of eight Littoral Mission Vessels.

The LMVs being built by ST Marine will replace the navy's existing Fearless-class patrol vessels, which have been in service for nearly 20 years.

"The LMVs, to be equipped with advanced combat systems, will be highly versatile and capable of embarking on various mission modules to fulfill a full spectrum of operations," the company said. "To enable enhanced operational efficiency with a leaner crew size, cutting-edge technologies and innovative concepts have been integrated into the design of the LMVs."

Partnered with ST Marine for the shipbuilding project are ST Electronics and DSO National Laboratories. Singapore's Defense Science and Technology Agency is the overall program manager and systems integrator.

The LMVs will each be about 262.5 feet long.

Singapore ordered the vessels last year.