Singapore Comissions 3 Warships

Pictured is the Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean presenting Commissioning Warrant to COL Giam Hock Koon, Commanding Officer of RSS STEADFAST.

Singapore commissioned three state-of-the art warships, according to a release from the Singapore Ministry of Defense. RSS INTREPID, RSS STEADFAST and RSS TENACIOUS, the second, third and fourth Formidable-Class frigates from the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will be commissioned into the RSN's operational service, having completed their sea trials and operational training. The three frigates will join their sister ship RSS FORMIDABLE which was commissioned on 5 May 2007.

The three frigates were constructed by Singapore Technologies Marine under a technology transfer agreement with Direction des Constructions Navales Services (DCN), from France. The Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) played a key role to facilitate this agreement. Two more frigates are underway, the RSS STALWART and RSS SUPREME. All six frigates are expected to be fully operational by 2009.

The new frigates are designed to be versatile warships that are equipped with advanced combat systems and possess stealth capabilities. They also have good endurance and are able to be deployed at sea for a prolonged duration. Each frigate is designed to carry a Sikorsky S-70B Naval Helicopter capable of complementing the ship in Anti-surface and Anti-submarine warfare. By leveraging on a high level of automation and enhanced work processes, each frigate is operated by a lean crew of 71 and an air detachment of 15 personnel.

The frigates will be equipped with state-of-the-art combat capabilities allowing them to perform a wide spectrum of missions and to deal with various threats in all dimensions of naval warfare - surface, air and underwater. The command and control of the various sensor and weapon systems onboard each frigate is achieved via an indigenously developed Combat Management System (CMS).

Each measures 114 m with a 16 m beam, and displaces 3,200 tons. Propelled by 4 x MTU 20V 8000 M90, 8200 kW(CODAD Configuration) 4 x IFM V1708 with AvK alternator, 800kW, speed is rated at more than 25 knots with an endurance in excess of 3,500 nm.

Singapore last year increased its defence budget by 5.3 percent to an estimated $7.48 billion.