2. The launch of RSS Tenacious marks another milestone for the Formidable-class frigate programme. She is the third frigate to be built locally. In the next phase, RSS Tenacious will undergo harbour and sea trials.

3. The RSN stealth frigates’ sophisticated sensor and weapon systems are concurrently undergoing shore-based integration testing while the ships are being built. This will mean significant time savings. With their enhanced anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, the frigates will enable the RSN to undertake a wide spectrum of missions and more effectively carry out its mission of defending Singapore and its vital Sea Lines of Communications (SLOCs). 4. Minister for Manpower and Acting Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, and other senior MINDEF and SAF officials were also present at the launch.

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LAUNCH OF RSN’S FOURTH FRIGATE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE NAVY’S FRIGATE PROGRAMME

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 had designed and built the French Navy’s low signature La Fayette-class frigates. Under the technology transfer arrangement, DCN designed and built the first ship while the other five are built locally by Singapore Technologies Marine. These Formidable-class frigates will replace the RSN’s Missile Gunboats, which would have been in service for more than 25 years.

SHIP’S CAPABILITIES

The new frigates are highly capable warships. They are stealthy and equipped with advanced combat systems. They also have longer endurance, being able to stay at sea for longer periods. Each frigate is designed to carry a medium-class helicopter which can complement the ship in Anti-surface and Anti-submarine warfare. By leveraging on a high level of automation and enhanced work processes, each frigate requires a crew of only 71. The frigates will be equipped with advanced 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. There is an indigenously developed Combat Management System (CMS) for command and control of the various sensor and weapon systems.

The platform characteristics, the combat systems configuration and a computer-aided design picture of the RSN’s Formidable-class frigates are detailed in the appendix to this fact sheet.

PROGRAMME STATUS

The frigate programme is progressing smoothly. All six frigates are in various stages of construction. Three have already been launched and are now in the final phases of construction.

In tandem with the frigates’ construction, 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 the exchange of information over the local area network, which closely replicates the one on the ship. The laboratory environment of the SBIC allows the integration team to run the required sequence of tests and to initiate trouble shooting and rectification measures before testing on board the ship commences. The frigates’ systems are also being put through various operational scenarios for extensive testing employing simulators. The shore-based integration testing approach will shorten the time taken for integration and help bring forward the delivery of the frigates by almost a year.

The frigate programme represents the continuous effort of the RSN to improve its capabilities and enhance the operational effectiveness of the SAF.

PLATFORM DESIGN AND SYSTEMS CONFIGURATION

S/N DESCRIPTION PARAMETERS 1. Dimension LengthBeam 114metres 16 metres 2. Displacement 3,200 tonnes 3. Speed In excess of 25 knots 4. Range/Endurance > 3,500 nautical miles 5. Platform SystemsPropulsion SystemElectrical System 4 x MTU 20V 8000 M90, 8200 kW(CODAD Configuration)4 x IFM V1708 with AvK alternator, 800kW 6. Helicopter/Ship-Heli Interface Sikorsky S-70B Naval Helicopter 7. Complement 71 crew + Air detachment of 15 personnel

FRIGATE’S COMBAT SYSTEMS CONFIGURATION

COMBAT SYSTEMS Multi-Function Radar Thales Herakles Multi-function Radar (MFR) Navigation Radar Terma Electronic Navigation Radar Surface-to-Surface Missile Harpoon Surface Missile System Surface-to-Air Missile MDBA Aster Missile System Naval Gun OTO Melara 76mm Gun Sonar EDO Active Low Frequency Towed Sonar (ALOFTS) Torpedo Whitehead A244S System Communications ST (Elect) CET Integrated Communications System Gun Fire Control System EADS Gunfire Control System Command and Control DSTA in-house developed Combat Management System (CMS) Standard Operating Common Consoles ST (Elect) SES

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