US defense firm partners with Strategic Marine to build warships in Asia

August 20, 2025, by Fatima Bahtić

Singapore shipbuilder Strategic Marine and Houston-headquartered defense company Eureka Naval Craft have joined forces to ramp up production of warships in Asia.

As informed, the aim of the partnership is to bring Eureka’s modular attack surface craft (MASC) to the US Navy and allied navies. The versatile catamaran vessel design can further be retooled for the commercial offshore industry as a workboat.

The Aircat Bengal MC is a 36-meter multi-mission surface effect ship (SES) that can operate in both fully autonomous and semi-autonomous modes. It is also the first naval vessel worldwide capable of carrying a 40-tonne payload while achieving speeds of more than 50 knots, depending on payload weight, with an operational range of 1,000 nautical miles.

The ship comes equipped with a modular payload system, an extended aft deck range, and high-speed capability. Its design enables rapid adaptation to emerging threats and evolving mission needs. The program also highlights the importance of US-Singapore collaboration in advancing innovation, reinforcing supply chain resilience, and enhancing regional security.

The unit will provide an alternative to naval corvettes and frigates, thanks to its optimized design and use of modular construction techniques. Furthermore, it can be used as a troop transport vessel, landing support craft, electronic warfare platform, drone mothership and for mine laying and counter-mine warfare.

Through this effort, the platform will support the US Department of Defense and the US Navy’s broader goals of developing a more innovative, autonomous, and cooperative maritime force.

Eureka Naval Craft CEO Bo Jardine noted that the vessel Aircat Bengal MC solves a pain-point for navies having sophisticated lethality, including Tomahawk cruise missile capability.

“By joining forces with Strategic Marine, we are combining American innovation with Singaporean shipbuilding excellence to meet the needs of navies worldwide,” he added.

Jardine further explained that the memorandum of understanding will also take on an AUKUS dimension through Eureka’s collaboration with the Australian defense company Greenroom Robotics.

He highlighted that the Aircat Bengal MC is equipped with one of the most advanced autonomous navigation systems, made possible by Greenroom’s advanced maritime autonomy (GAMA) software. Greenroom has spent several years refining this technology, notably by testing it on the Sentinel, a 57-meter decommissioned Armidale-class patrol boat used in the patrol boat autonomy trial (PBAT).

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Authorities

“We are delighted to collaborate with Eureka on this groundbreaking project. Our Singapore shipyard is equipped with the latest technology and staffed by a highly experienced team, enabling us to deliver complex vessels quickly and at scale,” Chan Eng Yew from Strategic Marine commented.

“The AIRCAT BENGAL MC, with its advanced autonomy, exemplifies the future of high-performance vessels for both defense and offshore energy logistics. This partnership not only benefits our companies, but also contributes to the broader economic and security interests of both Singapore and the United States, while supporting allied and partner country collaboration in the Indo-Pacific,” he concluded.