RSS Independence Retires After Close to Two Decades of Distinguished Service
RSS Independence Retires After Close to Two Decades of Distinguished Service 08 Maret 2017 RSS Independence (L) with its successor LMV Independence (R). (photo : ChannelNewsAsia)) The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) decommissioned the first of its Fearless-class Patrol Vessels (PV), RSS Independence, at a sunset ceremony at Tuas Naval Base this evening. Officiated by Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han, the ceremony marked the start of the progressive handing over of duties from the PVs, which have been operational starting from 1996, to the new Littoral Mission Vessels (LMV). RSS Independence and its sister ships were the first warships wholly designed and built in Singapore, under a collaborative effort by the RSN, the Defence Technology Community, and the local defence industry. RSS Independence was commissioned on 22 Aug 1998 by then Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, to take over the operational duties of Patrol Craft RSS Independence...