Singapore's Naval Capability Enhanced with Three More Frigates

Singapore Ministry of Defence, Minister for Defence Mr Teo Chee Hean officiated at the commissioning ceremony of three of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s Formidable-Class Stealth Frigates, namely, RSS Intrepid, RSS Steadfast and RSS Tenacious, at Changi Naval Base (CNB) today. 
 
The operationalisation of the frigates marks a significant milestone in the transformation of the RSN towards a 3rd Generation fighting force. The frigates are equipped with state-of-the-art combat capabilities that enable enabling them to perform a wide spectrum of missions, and to deal with various threats in all dimensions of naval warfare – surface, air and underwater. “Many systems, for example, the Combat Management System, are truly unique to the RSN, and will no doubt give us a decisive edge in our operations”, said Commanding Officer of RSS Steadfast, COL Giam Hock Koon. 
 
The new frigates follow into service the lead ship of this class, the RSS Formidable, which was commissioned earlier on 5 May 2007. The remaining two frigates are expected to become operational next year. 
 
Under a technology transfer agreement with French shipbuilder Direction Des Constructions Navales (DCN), the first ship was designed and constructed in France, while the rest were built locally by ST Marine.  
 
Factsheet: Formidable-Class Stealth Frigates 
 
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 today, 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. 
 
Ship's Capabilities 
 
The new frigates are highly 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).