Thales Wins Pivotal Pathmaster Deal with the Republic of Singapore Navy
The distinctive, sea-validated Pathmaster solution will empower the Navy to precisely identify, categorize, and pinpoint mines in one of the most frequented maritime channels in the region, in real-time. This solution encompasses Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (TSAS), the MiMap sonar data evaluation tool, and the M-Cube mission coordination system.
The system will receive backing from the Thales Singapore Defence Hub, instituted in 2023 to deliver maintenance, support services, operational readiness, and local development, situated near the Singapore Armed Forces, in collaboration with ST Engineering.
Maritime commerce is vital for the economies of Asia. With Singapore strategically located at the core of major global shipping lanes, the necessity for security in the Straits remains a paramount concern for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
On 28 March 2025, Thales secured a contract via ST Engineering (STE) to supply the Republic of Singapore Navy with a Mine Counter Measures system, Pathmaster, which includes the M-Cube mission coordination platform and TSAS towed sonars in conjunction with the MiMap sonar data assessment tool, to be integrated on ST Engineering’s unmanned surface vessel.
Thales will also offer tools to administer mine databases and libraries. These will be augmented with Artificial Intelligence (AI) to enhance target recognition and identification, lessening the burden on operators. The system will be backed by the Thales Singapore Defence Hub for upkeep and service, as well as to create compatible applications that can effortlessly integrate with the RSN’s systems.
As maritime environments grow more crowded and navies encounter unforeseen threats and challenges, mine countermeasures have emerged as a critical field to ensure the sovereignty and security of Singapore’s maritime communication lines. The sophisticated system is acclaimed for its unmatched detection capabilities and minimal false alarm rate. The Thales Pathmaster solution is the world’s first sea-validated system and is already operational with the British Royal Navy and the French Navy, under the Maritime Mine Countermeasure (MMCM) program. This contract marks Thales’ inaugural Pathmaster agreement in Asia.
“This recent contract award signifies the confidence that the Republic of Singapore Navy bestows upon Thales’ naval innovations. The Pathmaster system exemplifies a major advancement in the RSN’s vision for an autonomous system of systems, providing enhanced operational functionalities while bolstering the safety of their personnel. As the first Pathmaster system in Asia, Thales consolidates its role as a primary supplier to the Navy, fulfilling the operational demands in this region. After successfully delivering numerous radars for significant vessel programs, we are eager to advance further to ensure that Singapore remains at the forefront of mine warfare in the region, protecting the nation’s maritime pathways,” stated Sébastien Gueremy, VP Underwater Systems, Thales.
