Three more RSN frigates enter service

The Formidable-class stealth frigates - with a broad and potent range of capabilities in all dimensions of naval warfare - will bring about a quantum leap in the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) fighting capability and strengthen its readiness to undertake a wide spectrum of missions.

Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Chew Men Leong said this at the commissioning ceremony of three new frigates, RSS Intrepid, RSS Steadfast and RSS Tenacious on 5 Feb.

"The frigates will level up the integration of maritime capabilities into the Third-Generation Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)," said RADM Chew.

These three frigates were built locally by Singapore Technologies Marine under a technology transfer agreement with French shipbuilder Direction Des Constructions Navales (DCN), which designed and constructed the lead ship of the class, RSS Formidable in France.

RSS Formidable was commissioned on 5 May last year and she participated in the multilateral exercise Malabar in the Indian Ocean four months later.

The frigate performed creditably over a continuous period of six days of intensive exercises at sea with some of the world's most advanced warships and submarines, which fully tested the ship, its weapon systems and crew.

"The frigates will be a significant force multiplier in the Third-Generation SAF," said Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean, who officiated at the commissioning ceremony.

"With their sophisticated Command, Control and Communications suite, the frigates will serve as key nodes in the SAF's Integrated Knowledge-Based Command and Control network, orchestrating the efforts of a sizeable number of units distributed across a large battle-space."

"In particular, with their extended air surveillance and weapon coverage, the frigates will play an important part in enhancing the air defence capability of the SAF," he added.

With four frigates fully operational, and a total of six by next year, the frigates will contribute significantly towards the seaward defence of Singapore and the protection of her Sea Lines of Communication.

The full potential of the frigates will be further realised when the Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters arrive in Singapore from 2009.

Source : Singapore MINDEF