The worst buy in Singapore Navy

The LMVs of Singapore navy is the worst purchase the defense ministry has ever bought till now. Primary armed with guns and 12 short range anti-air missiles. If it's role is to patrol rivers or enclosed sea. Well, I believe the armament it carried is sufficient. But to patrol a highly congested sea lanes with so much trade involve, it's too lightly armed. So what it got a heli? Will be easily shot down by even a short range SAM. 

Our frigates primary SSM is already out range and out speed by many others. Now our patrol ship is getting leaner weapon suite. The stupidity of having to do more with less and flexibily of modular mission suite ain't going to help us win battles nor create deterence.

We should focus on getting a weapon and radar combination system for our patrol ship that will deter any ship or submarine from messing in the strait of Malacca, Singapore and protecting our little Pedra Branca.

Patrol ship ain't build to face off real military threats like frigate, destroyer or submarine. However, we should focus our ability to be a very painful sting to them. 

To equip with SSM to deter military and BIG patrol ship class from engaging. Those big patrol vessel in China are quite big and some of them is even the size of a destroyer. Missile like RBS15 or Harpoon should be fine. Even deploying rocket launchers like the ones like HIMARS with guided rocket capability is good enough. Can use UAV for longer range to guide the rockets onto enemy ship. The missiles or rockets will send a signal to the adversaries that our LMV are no pushover. 

To equip with a ASW suite that can engage any submarine in the shallow waters. A244 light weight torpedo and likes of it will make any submarine to think twice messing in our shallow waters. No need for expensive sonar suites cause our surrouding waters ain't that deep. 

The helipad is good to have but due to a fact that no heli will be stationed on the LMV, it ain't going to be any use cause you have to wait for the heli to come in case of engagement. Would advised to carry a UAV like firescout or any of same class. Providing minimum support of guidance, navigation, dropping of sonar bouys, reconnaissance and dropping light loads of supply.

Since we are going to build less, why not build something more lethal, stronger presence and stop all the BS about modular building of better spending.