Singapore and U.S. launch first modular attack vessel for Indo-Pacific security.

According to information published by the Singaporean shipbuilding company Strategic Marine, on August 20, 2025, a Memorandum of Understanding with U.S. company Eureka Naval Craft was signed. The aim is to jointly develop and construct the Aircat Bengal MC, the world’s first Modular Attack Surface Craft based on a Surface Effect Ship hull design. This 36-meter platform, to be built in Singapore, is intended to provide breakthrough performance in multi-mission naval operations by combining modular adaptability, high-speed endurance, and advanced autonomy.
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The Aircat Bengal MC is a 36-meter high-speed surface effect craft combining reconfigurable mission modules, 50-knot performance, 40-ton payload capacity, and autonomous operation for strike, ISR, mine warfare, and humanitarian roles (Picture source: Eureka Naval Craft).

The Aircat Bengal MC is designed to meet dual-use demands for both military and civilian operations. Mission profiles range from anti-surface warfare and intelligence-surveillance-reconnaissance to mine countermeasures, humanitarian support, and grey-zone deterrence. At the heart of the concept lies a modular mission bay capable of accepting containerized payloads, allowing operators to switch from strike or reconnaissance to relief or logistic support in a matter of hours. The craft can reach speeds exceeding 50 knots, offers a range of approximately 1,000 nautical miles, and is optimized for littoral and archipelagic operations where speed and adaptability are critical.

Technically, the vessel incorporates Eureka Naval Craft’s proprietary Surface Effect Ship hull form, which reduces hydrodynamic drag, delivers a smoother ride in high sea states, and maintains speed and maneuverability where conventional fast attack craft would be forced to slow down. A large aft deck rated to carry over 40 tonnes allows the integration of heavy payloads such as missile launchers, unmanned aerial systems, mine warfare gear, or humanitarian cargo. The platform will integrate Greenroom Robotics’ GAMA autonomy suite, fully compatible with the U.S. Navy’s Unmanned Maritime Autonomy Architecture, enabling both optionally manned and fully unmanned operations and ensuring interoperability with allied navies.

Strategic Marine, founded in 2001 and headquartered in Singapore, has established itself as a regional leader in specialized shipbuilding. The company has delivered offshore support vessels, patrol boats, crew transfer vessels, and high-speed ferries across multiple continents. Recent contracts include six Supa Swath offshore vessels for Mainprize Offshore with options for additional builds, a survey vessel for Odyssey Group, and new StratCat 27 crew transfer vessels for clients in Korea. Strategic Marine has also expanded its capacity to deliver advanced hull forms and recently handed over its first SES platform to support offshore energy operations, reinforcing its expertise in building high-performance craft.

From a market perspective, the Aircat Bengal MC is positioned to appeal to Indo-Pacific navies and maritime security agencies that face complex archipelagic geographies and rising grey-zone challenges. Countries such as Indonesia, the Philippines, and Vietnam require fast-response, scalable platforms that can adapt quickly to shifting threats. Singapore itself has emphasized modularity and autonomy in its future fleet architecture, while Australia and New Zealand, with their need for long-range sovereignty patrols and rapid response assets, represent additional prospective customers. The vessel’s non-ITAR SES technology also makes it an attractive option for foreign military sales without the export restrictions usually tied to U.S.-built warships.

Tactically, the Aircat Bengal MC offers a combination of speed, endurance, and modular payloads that changes the calculus of littoral warfare. Its ability to operate unmanned reduces risk to crews in contested waters, while modular loadouts allow commanders to reconfigure the ship from strike to ISR or mine countermeasures without lengthy refit periods. The combination of high payload capacity and rapid redeployment makes it a force multiplier for coastal defense, maritime interdiction, or humanitarian operations. Operationally, it enhances flexibility and lowers the cost of maintaining diverse mission-specific fleets.

In comparison with traditional vessels such as corvettes or frigates, the Aircat Bengal MC offers a fundamentally different approach to maritime force design. Conventional ships provide long-range firepower and fleet integration but at the cost of high acquisition and operating expenses, extended build timelines, and limited adaptability once delivered. The Bengal MC instead offers a scalable, reconfigurable solution that bridges the gap between RHIBs and corvettes. It is faster than most traditional warships, more agile in littoral environments, and adaptable to missions beyond combat, giving navies a disruptive capability to operate at lower cost while maintaining deterrence and operational reach.

With construction set to begin in Singapore, the Aircat Bengal MC represents a bold step toward modular, high-speed, and autonomous naval capabilities. As Indo-Pacific navies continue to seek flexible platforms to counter diverse and rapidly evolving threats, this joint development between Strategic Marine and Eureka Naval Craft may emerge as one of the most significant innovations in surface warfare for the coming decade.