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Singapore Enhances Security in Strait of Malacca with Autonomous Pathmaster Mine Clearance System.
Amid growing maritime threats and ongoing transformation of naval capabilities, the Republic of Singapore has chosen to acquire a next-generation autonomous mine countermeasures system. On 19 May 2025, Thales announced that it had been selected, in partnership with local defence firm ST Engineering, to deliver a fully robotic solution named Pathmaster to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). This contract marks the first deployment of the Pathmaster system in Asia, following its adoption by the French and British navies under the MMCM (Maritime Mine Countermeasures) programme.
The Pathmaster system is a fully autonomous mine countermeasures solution designed to address modern underwater threats in increasingly congested and complex maritime environments (Picture source: Thales)
The contract was officially awarded on 28 March 2025 through ST Engineering, the main Singaporean contractor, as part of a broader programme to modernise the RSN’s mine warfare capabilities. The objective is to progressively replace traditional mine-hunting vessels with a suite of surface and underwater unmanned systems. Pathmaster is based on a modular architecture that integrates several key components: a Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (TSAS), the MiMap sonar data analysis tool, and the M-Cube mission management system. These components will be fitted onto uncrewed surface vehicles (USVs) developed by ST Engineering. The system will be operated from a dedicated command and control centre and supported by a simulation solution to train personnel in complex and dynamic mine warfare scenarios.
Developed by Thales, the Pathmaster system is a fully autonomous mine countermeasures solution designed to address modern underwater threats in increasingly congested and complex maritime environments. Incorporating advances in artificial intelligence, high-resolution sonar (including TSAS), and collaborative data processing, the system enables real-time detection, classification, and localisation of naval mines, including low-signature and technically sophisticated threats. Its modular approach relies on remotely operated or fully autonomous surface and underwater drones, coordinated through the M-Cube mission system and the MiMap tool. This configuration allows small teams to efficiently manage entire unmanned fleets while reducing personnel exposure to risk.
Adapted to the evolving needs of modern navies, Pathmaster benefits from an open architecture that allows seamless integration with existing platforms or robotic fleets, as seen in deployments with the Royal Navy and the French Navy. While not equipped with conventional offensive weaponry, the system includes capabilities to neutralise mines using remotely operated vehicles (ROVs) and dedicated effectors. Its primary aim is to safeguard critical maritime corridors, reduce vessel vulnerability, and ensure freedom of navigation in contested areas.
The solution also includes AI-powered tools for managing mine databases and libraries. These features enhance real-time detection and identification while significantly reducing operator workload. Automated analysis algorithms are designed to lower false alarm rates and improve the accuracy of operational decisions in dense and challenging maritime environments. Pathmaster has already proven effective in sea trials and operational settings in Europe and with allied forces.
Technical support, maintenance, and application development will be managed locally by the Thales Singapore Defence Hub, established in 2023 near Singapore Armed Forces facilities. This infrastructure is intended to strengthen national defence industrial autonomy and ensure that the system remains aligned with the RSN’s evolving requirements. It also plays a critical role in enabling smooth integration of Pathmaster with existing naval command and control structures.
For Singapore, the strategic objective is clear: securing the Strait of Malacca, one of the busiest maritime corridors in the world, through which approximately 95,000 vessels transited in 2024, an increase of 5.5% over the previous year. Located at the crossroads of the Indian Ocean and the South China Sea, the strait is vital to global trade and highly vulnerable to naval mine threats. Ensuring the security of these maritime routes is a top priority for the Republic of Singapore, which is also seeking to address a projected 30% reduction in eligible military conscripts by 2030 by investing in automation and unmanned systems.
The decision to adopt the Pathmaster system aligns with the RSN’s broader capability vision focused on autonomy, resilience, and digital integration. This investment also highlights an increasing convergence between France and Singapore in the naval domain, reinforcing Thales’ position as a key provider of maritime technologies in the Asia-Pacific region. According to Sébastien Gueremy, Vice President for Underwater Systems at Thales, the contract demonstrates the RSN’s confidence in Thales’ technologies and represents a milestone in the company’s international development strategy.
The delivery of the Pathmaster system to Singapore represents a significant step in the adoption of autonomous mine warfare technologies. The contract enhances the RSN’s operational capacity to address growing maritime security challenges while responding to national sovereignty and personnel safety requirements. It also positions Singapore as a regional leader in the integration of autonomous naval systems, in a geopolitical and economic context where freedom of navigation remains a critical concern.