RSS Fortitude in the Singapore Strait | |
Class overview | |
---|---|
Name | Independence class |
Builders | ST Marine, Benoi, Singapore |
Operators | Republic of Singapore Navy |
Preceded by | Fearless class |
Built | 2014-2020 |
In commission | 2017-present |
Planned | 8 |
Completed | 8 |
Active | 8 |
General characteristics | |
Type | Patrol vessel |
Displacement | 1,200 tonnes (1,180 long tons; 1,320 short tons) |
Length | 80 m (262 ft 6 in) |
Beam | 12 m (39 ft 4 in) |
Draught | 3m |
Propulsion |
|
Speed |
|
Range | 3,000 nautical miles (5,560 km) |
Complement | Up to 23 baseline crew, up to 30 mission crew |
Sensors and processing systems |
|
Electronic warfare & decoys | STELOP 360° all-round surveillance |
Armament |
|
Aviation facilities | Helicopter deck for one medium-lift helicopter |
Notes | Sources: [3] [4] |
The Independence-class littoral mission vessel (LMV) is a class of eight surface platforms from the Republic of Singapore Navy. The eight ships form the second flotilla of the navy.
On 30 January 2013, MINDEF awarded ST Engineering a contract for the design and build of eight new vessels to replace the Fearless-class patrol vessels. ST Engineering announced that the group’s marine arm, ST Marine would be the lead system integrator and build the eight vessels at its Singapore Benoi Yard while the group’s electronics arm, ST Electronics, would supply the core combat systems and combat system integration solutions. The first vessel was planned for delivery in 2016 and all eight vessels will be fully operational by 2020. [5] [6] [7] The keel for the first vessel was laid at ST Marine's Benoi Yard on 11 September 2014, officiated by Permanent Secretary (Defence) Chan Yeng Kit. [8] A naming contest was held by MINDEF from 12 February 2015, and the winning names were announced by the Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen on 15 May 2015. [9]
The Littoral Mission Vessel (LMV) was jointly designed by Saab Kockums AB and ST Marine with Singapore's Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) as the overall manager and systems integrator and was derived from Saab Kockum's FLEXpatrol multi-mission patrol vessel. The design of the LMV was guided by two specific requirements. Due to declining birth rates, manpower had been a critical concern for the Singapore Armed Forces and the design reflects attempts to increase the efficiency of a reduced manning crew from 30 to 23. This was achieved through increased levels of automation and remote monitoring. Another key feature is the Integrated Command Centre which combines the ship's bridge, combat information centre (CIC), and machinery control spaces. The other requirement reflected in the design of the LMV is the need to handle multiple roles, from low intensity conflicts to humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) operations. The requirement is met through the ability to dynamically reconfigure the LMV through containerised mission packages. The LMV is also equipped with a unique, twin stern slipways from Palfinger Marine for the launch and recovery of RHIBs. [10]
Ship | Pennant number | Builder | Laid down | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
RSS Independence | 15 | ST Marine | 11 September 2014 | 3 July 2015 [11] [12] | 5 May 2017 [13] | Active, in service |
RSS Sovereignty | 16 | 14 May 2015 | 16 April 2016 [14] [15] | 14 November 2017 [16] | Active, in service | |
RSS Unity | 17 | 26 November 2015 | 13 October 2016 [17] [18] | 14 November 2017 [16] | Active, in service | |
RSS Justice | 18 | 26 May 2016 | 18 March 2017 [19] [20] | 26 September 2018 [21] | Active, in service | |
RSS Indomitable | 19 | 11 November 2016 | 23 September 2017 [22] [23] | 26 September 2018 [21] | Active, in service | |
RSS Fortitude | 20 | 26 May 2017 | 24 March 2018 [24] [25] | 31 January 2020 [26] | Active, in service | |
RSS Dauntless | 21 | 20 October 2017 | 18 August 2018 [27] [28] | 31 January 2020 [26] | Active, in service | |
RSS Fearless | 22 | April 2018 | 26 January 2019 [29] [30] | 31 January 2020 [26] | Active, in service |
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The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) are the military services of the Republic of Singapore, responsible for protecting and defending the security interests and the sovereignty of the country. A military component of the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), the armed forces have four service branches: the Army, the Navy, the Air Force, and the Digital and Intelligence Service. An integrated force, it is one of the most capable, robust, technologically sophisticated and powerful militaries in Southeast Asia and the surrounding regions. The SAF is headed by the chief of defence force, appointed by the president of Singapore, on the advice of the Cabinet.
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