Formidable Class Frigate

[Pendekar]

FORMIDABLE CLASS MULTI-MISSION FRIGATES

Six Formidable Class multi-mission frigates are being built for the Singapore Navy. The first of class, RSS Formidable, was launched on 7 January 2004 at the Lorient dockyard in Brittany, France. The Republic of Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) awarded the contract in March 2002 to DCN in France for the design and construction of the frigates. The contract includes a technology transfer program under which the construction of the first frigate is carried out in France and then five further frigates are built in Singapore by Singapore Technology Marine (STM) at the Benoi shipyard. The frigate programme is named Project Delta and is being managed by Singapore's state-owned Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA).

Following the launch of the RSS Formidable in January 2004, work started on fitting the combat and platform systems. Sea trials are scheduled to start in December 2004. The frigate will arrive in Singapore in the second quarter of 2005 and will enter service in 2007. All six Formidable class frigates will be in service by 2009.

As well as RSS Formidable (68), the class will consist of: RSS Intrepid (69), RSS Steadfast (70), RSS Tenacious (71), RSS Stalwart (72) and RSS Supreme (73). Intrepid, constructed by STM, was launched in July 2004 The keel for Steadfast was laid in November 2003.

The frigates will replace the six Sea Wolf Class missile gunboats that entered service in 1972 and are approaching the end of operational life.

FRIGATE DESIGN

The Project Delta design is a smaller derivative of the French La Fayette class stealth frigate with low radar, acoustic, infrared and electromagnetic signatures. A high level of automation and closely integrated combat and ship management systems have been selected to allow the frigate to be operated with a crew of just 70. The overall length is 114.8m with a beam of 16.3m and draught of 6.0m. The full load displacement is 3,200t.

FRIGATE COMMAND AND CONTROL

The Combat Management System was developed by the state owned DSTA with ST Electronics to meet the operational requirements of the Republic of Singapore Navy. DSTA also has responsibility for the combat systems integration. The Standard Operating Common Consoles, with 20in LCD displays, are supplied by Singapore Technologies Electronics, a subsidiary of ST Engineering.

The Integrated Communications System is also supplied by Singapore Technologies Electronics.

FRIGATE MISSILES

The frigate is armed with the Boeing Harpoon surface-to-surface anti-ship missile. The Harpoon missile has a range of 130km and uses active radar guidance. The missile is armed with a 227kg warhead.

The frigate is fitted with the DCN Sylver vertical launch system with MBDA Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles. There are four eight-cell SYLVER A43 launch modules with 32 missiles. The two-stage Aster missile is a very high agility and high manoeuvrability defence missile for deployment against incoming sea skimming anti-ship missiles which use evasive terminal manoeuvres and re-attack modes. In anti-missile mode the Aster 15 has a range of 15km. Aster also provides protection against manned and unmanned aircraft to a range of 30km.

FRIGATE GUN

The main gun is the Oto Melara 76mm/62 Super Rapid gun which fires 6kg shells to a range of 16km at a firing rate up to 120 rounds per minute.

ANTI-SUBMARINE WARFARE

The EDO Model 980 ALOFTS active low frequency towed sonar provides long-range detection and classification capability against submarines. ALOFTS comprises a variable depth sonar (VDS) towed body with a towed array. The frigate has two triple-barrelled lightweight torpedo launchers and is armed with the Eurotorp A244S torpedo.

FRIGATE AIRCRAFT CAPACITIES

The frigate has the capacity to operate a single medium size helicopter in the 10t class. The helicopter deck at the stern, approximately 22m x 16m (360m²), has a single landing spot. The hangar is fully equipped with helicopter support and maintenance systems. The frigate carries an additional 15 aircrew for helicopter flight operations.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force will fly the shipborne helicopter and helicopter mission crew will be from the Republic of Singapore Navy. MINDEF is considering selection and procurement of the Eurocopter Cougar, NH Industries NH-90 or the Sikorsky S-70.

FRIGATE SENSORS

The Herakles multi-function radar, supplied by Thales, is the frigate's primary surveillance radar. The phased array radar is a passive, three-dimensional, search and fire control radar operating over E- and F-bands. The radar, installed in a radome on top of the main mast, carries out long-range air and surface surveillance and weapon control. The Herakles radar is integrated with the Aster air defence missile system.

The frigates surface search and navigation radar is the Terma Scanter 2001, operating at I-band.

Countermeasures systems are yet to be announced. FRIGATE PROPULSION

The frigate is powered by four MTU 20V 8000 diesel engines in a combined diesel and diesel (CODAD) configuration. Each engine is rated at 8,200kW. The engines drive two shafts with constant pitch propellers.

The cruise and maximum speeds are 18 and 27 knots and the range is 7,200km (4,000 nautical miles).

Believe it or not, they only need 70 crew on board. that's quite a level of automation for a ship of it size. Look's like Malaysian Lekiu class frigates and Laksamana class Corvets have found their match.

 

[Pendekar]

SPECIFICATIONS - FORMIDABLE CLASS MULTI-MISSION FRIGATES
Key Data
Crew 70
Air crew 15
Dimensions
Length 114.8m
Beam 16.3m
Draught 6.0m
Full load displacement 3,200t
Propulsion
MTU diesel 220V 8000 4 x 8,200kW
Electrical system 4 x IFM V1708, AvK alternator, 800kW
Performance
Maximum speed 27 knots
Economical speed 18 knots
Range 7,200km (4,000nm)

source: http://www.naval-technology.com

 

[tankee1981]

How does the international defence community see our Formidable class stealth frigates? Are they comparable to those in the advanced military powers? Thanks

 

[Dr Phobus]

How does the international defence community see our Formidable class stealth frigates? Are they comparable to those in the advanced military powers? Thanks

Well i can not see how one can not be nothing but impressed with this warship. It has a very similar armament fit too the French FREMM: Aster 15, 8 SSM, one meduim helo ( i would argue NH-90 would have been a better buy), Same radar as French FREMM, although i am not sure if they perform the sam. It also carrier an active VD towed array. as has a main gun, albeit, on the more lighter side.

The only areas that seem to differ; ASW torpedo (nice to see MU-90 impact) ship/helo borne, land attack ability with crusier missles (now not many nations are active with this capability) ECM systems, just how powerful are they and the combat managment system (which i am sure is good enough). Decoy systems, again to they compare to state of the art ?

Saying that, i would not be unhappy to see a union jack on them. Nice tidy vessels, nice capability.

 

[contedicavour]

At one point in early 2006 there was even a rumour that the ships embarked the Aster-30 and Sylver A50, though I don't see what sense it would make with the relatively short range Herakles radar.

cheers

 

[Dr Phobus]

I thought the French FREMM is considering that as a possbile upgrade To the Aster-30, with the same Radar (one is assumping the same performace from the herakles radar). It would make some sence and good development in capability too have a true area defence capability, albeit in limited misslie numbers.

 

[Rich]

How does the international defence community see our Formidable class stealth frigates? Are they comparable to those in the advanced military powers? Thanks

France is a "advanced military power". And just about everything their military/Industrial complex churns out is top shelf. The Formidable is a really, really nice frigate with a systems package tailored nicely to the export market its aimed at. That of the small navy that wants some big navy/multi-mission, punch!

 

[Dr Phobus]

I am surprized that a nation like Belgium did not go for this type of vessel. I am confident we have not seen the last of this warship and that it indeed will continue to sell. Maybe, to some new NATO memebers, if anyone can ever afford anything. Or south american countries, like brazil, argentina, especially when faced with rwecent Chilian navel exspansion.

 

[contedicavour]

I thought the French FREMM is considering that as a possbile upgrade To the Aster-30, with the same Radar (one is assumping the same performace from the herakles radar). It would make some sence and good development in capability too have a true area defence capability, albeit in limited misslie numbers.

Indeed, though it means using EMPAR and not Herakles, Sylver A50 and not A43, and may be even finding space for a 3D long range air search radar... though the first 2 requirements are already supposed to be reality on the Italian FREMMs...

cheers

 

[Dr Phobus]

Indeed, though it means using EMPAR and not Herakles, Sylver A50 and not A43, and may be even finding space for a 3D long range air search radar... though the first 2 requirements are already supposed to be reality on the Italian FREMMs...

cheers

I saw an impression in Janes IDR of the FREMM with the Thales-NG air-defence package with the APAR and Smart 2 radar. Thus a large and capable volume serach 3D radar can be placed on the rear. They propossed this for the Danish area air defence vessel. However, i was not aware the french are considering changing from the Herakles radar system to the EMPAR.

Carl

 

[swerve]

...
Saying that, i would not be unhappy to see a union jack on them. ...

Yes - do very nicely as a low-end supplement to the Type 45.

 

[Dr Phobus]

Yes swerve i do agree, however, one must protect ones indusrty, of course the way we are not building a Navy these days, we maybe be importing it all in.. Still not bad vessels at all.

 

[valice]

The frigate doesn;t seemed to be carry any other sonar like a hull mounted sonar like the RMN corvettes and frigates, only a towed sonar.
Will it be a disadvantage?

 

[kilo]

I wonder how stealthy these frigates really are. How do they compare to the la fayette class in terms of stealth?
Also i think these frigates wolud have been better with a gas-diesel-electric propulsion system like the British type 23s. They could move silently using the electric in conjunction with the towed array to guarantee the first shot against an enemy sub.

 

[contedicavour]

I saw an impression in Janes IDR of the FREMM with the Thales-NG air-defence package with the APAR and Smart 2 radar.
Carl

Yep I saw it as well, but I don't think DCN or Fincantieri will offer systems different vs Herakles or Empar. At least for the moment. The reason is commercial, ie that virtually all FREMMs would be built locally by ordering countries. Leaving that aside, most of the remaining margin is in the core AAW system. If even that is built using systems different from the original Herakles or Empar, margin further decreases and unitary costs increase.
However you are right, technically you can put APAR and Smart on the FREMMs...
Btw for similar reasons DCN refused to consider a FREMM with APAR/Raytheon SM2.

cheers

 

[tphuang]

I wonder how stealthy these frigates really are. How do they compare to the la fayette class in terms of stealth?
Also i think these frigates wolud have been better with a gas-diesel-electric propulsion system like the British type 23s. They could move silently using the electric in conjunction with the towed array to guarantee the first shot against an enemy sub.

from the model I looked at on naval-technology, I would say Formidable actually looks more stealthy than La Fayette, but that's just my opinion.

 

[Tiny]

just curious, does any one know the cost of one formidable class frigate?

 

[Systems Adict]

Believe it or not, they only need 70 crew on board. that's quite a level of automation for a ship of it size. Look's like Malaysian Lekiu class frigates and Laksamana class Corvets have found their match.

I would have to agree with certain aspects of your statement. Yes, they are certainly more than a match to the Lekiu's & Laksamana's.

But it would be unfair to compare them, as the Formidable class Frigates are nearer the weight of a DDG (weighing in at more than 4,000 GRT). The Lekiu's are less than 2,500 GRT.

Additionally, technologically, because the Lekiu's have been in service since 1999, they will have "older" equipment.

That aside, IMO, I think you would find them pretty equal. The RMN is a well oiled, well drilled Navy, with a good fleet, and as said earlier, the fact that they have sonar & other systems that the Formidable's don't, it would be a hard fight to split them.

But that is just MY opinion......

Systems Adict

 

[Red]

would have to agree with certain aspects of your statement. Yes, they are certainly more than a match to the Lekiu's & Laksamana's.

But it would be unfair to compare them, as the Formidable class Frigates are nearer the weight of a DDG (weighing in at more than 4,000 GRT). The Lekiu's are less than 2,500 GRT.

Additionally, technologically, because the Lekiu's have been in service since 1999, they will have "older" equipment.

That aside, IMO, I think you would find them pretty equal. The RMN is a well oiled, well drilled Navy, with a good fleet, and as said earlier, the fact that they have sonar & other systems that the Formidable's don't, it would be a hard fight to split them.

But that is just MY opinion......

Urmm, the Formidable class does in fact has sonar. She uses an `Active Low Frequency Towed Array Sonar'. I agree that it is unfair to compare the larger Formidable class to the Lekius. They are hardly `equals.' The Lekiu frigates are good frigates for her size. Currently, no other ship in south east asian navies comes close to the Formidable in terms of capability, weaponry and sophistication of systems; Herakles phased array radar, Aster missile system, NGDS, etc. The incorporated stealth design also increases the deadliness.

The Laksamana class is a corvette and comparable to singapore`s Victory class corvette;

http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/laksamana/images/laks2.jpg
Laksamana class

http://img103.imageshack.us/img103/6208/victory11omnv8.jpg
Victory class

 

[Subangite]

Currently, no other ship in south east asian navies comes close to the Formidable in terms of capability, weaponry and sophistication of systems; Herakles phased array radar, Aster missile system, NGDS, etc. The incorporated stealth design also increases the deadliness.

I agree. The Formidable class really is the envy of South East Asian navies. Also having 6 ships of this class IMHO makes the RSN the most "formidable" navy in ASEAN. hehe, : sorry for the pun.

Anyways tiny's question remains unanswered, how much are the Formidables costing the Singaporean tax payer? :unknown