Singapore Ministry of Defence, The Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) sixth frigate, RSS Supreme was launched on 9 May 2006 by Dr Ivy Ng, wife of Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the Singapore Technologies Marine shipyard. Dr Ng officiated at the launching ceremony.
The launch of RSS Supreme marks another significant milestone for the frigate programme. It is the final frigate to be built locally. In the next phase of construction, RSS Supreme will undergo harbour and sea trials.
The RSN's stealth frigates are equipped with advanced sensor and weapon systems, and have enhanced anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. A key enabler to the third generation (3G) RSN, the frigate will enable the RSN to undertake a wide spectrum of missions and carry out its missions of defending Singapore and its vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs) more. The sensor and weapon systems will undergo shore-based integration testing and modifications during the construction phase of the stealth frigates. This enables a significant reduction in the overall duration and cost of constructing the frigates.
Factsheet – Republic of Singapore Navy's Frigate Program
Introduction
In March 2000, MINDEF signed a contract with Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) of France for the construction of six frigates for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). DCN is a reputable shipyard that designed and built the French Navy's low signature La Fayette-class frigates. Under the technology transfer arrangement, DCN will design and build the first ship while the remaining five will be built locally by Singapore Technologies Marine. The six new frigates will replace the RSN's Missile Gunboats, which have been in service for more than 25 years.
Ship's Capabilities
The new frigates are highly capable warships designed to be stealthy and are equipped with advanced combat systems. They also have greater endurance and are able to stay at sea for longer periods of time. 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 will only require a crew of 71.
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. These systems include the Thales Herakles Multi-function Radar (MFR), the MBDA Aster SAM System, the EDO Active Low Frequency Towed Sonar (ALOFTS) system, the Eurotorp A244S torpedo and the Boeing Harpoon missile system. Command and control of the various sensor and weapon systems onboard each frigate is achieved via an indigenously developed Combat Management System (CMS).
Programme Status
The frigate programme is progressing smoothly. All six frigates are in various stages of construction today. Five of the six frigates had already been launched till date and they are undergoing various stages of their construction. The lead ship of the Formidable-class stealth frigates arrived in Singapore on 8 Jul 2005 from France. RSS Formidable is currently undergoing Combat Systems checkout, integration and testing. She is expected to be fully operational in 2007.
In parallel to the construction activities, the combat system integration effort has also gradually intensified over the course of this year. The Shore Based Integration Centre (SBIC) has been set up in Changi Naval Base to allow the combat system suppliers, using the actual equipment and software, to test and demonstrate that they could exchange messages correctly over the local area network, similar to the one onboard the ship. The laboratory environment of the SBIC would allow the integration team to run all the necessary sequence of tests in order to do trouble shooting and rectification before testing onboard the ship. Through the use of simulators, the systems are put through the various operational scenarios for extensive testing. This shore-based integration testing approach has reduced overall integration duration, speeding up the delivery of the frigate by almost a year.
The frigate programme represents the continuous effort of the RSN to improve its capabilities in order to complement and enhance the operational effectiveness of the SAF.
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