Fearless-class patrol vessel

The Fearless-class patrol vessels were built by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine for the Republic of Singapore Navy in the 1990s. Together, the ships formed the 182 and 189 Squadron.

RSS Dauntless, during the bilateral exercise MILAN 2018 with the Indian Navy
Class overview
Name: Fearless
Builders: ST Engineering (Marine)
Operators:
Preceded by: Swift class
Succeeded by: Independence class
Subclasses: Al-Ofouq class
Built: 1995–1998
In commission: 1998–2020
Completed: 12
Lost: 1 (RSS Courageous)
Retired: 11
General characteristics
Type: Patrol vessel
Displacement: 500 t (490 long tons; 550 short tons)
Length: 55.0 m (180 ft 5 in)
Beam: 8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
Draught: 2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
Propulsion: 2 × MTU 12 V 595 TE 90 diesel engines coupled to ZF gear boxes driving 2 × Kamewa Waterjets
Speed: In excess of 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range: 1,000 nmi (1,900 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Sensors and
processing systems:
  • Search radar: IAI/ELTA EL/M-2228(X) (E/F band)
  • Navigation radar: Kelvin Hughes 1007 (I band)
  • Sonar: Thales Underwater Systems TSM 2362 Gudgeon hull-mounted medium frequency active sonar (first 6 ships)
  • Weapon control: Elbit MSIS optronic director
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
  • ESM: Elisra NS 9010C intercept, Rafael C-Pearl M
  • Decoys: 2 × GEC Marine Shield III 102 mm sextuple fixed chaff launchers
Armament:
Notes:
  • Ships in class include:
  • RSS Fearless (94)
  • RSS Brave (95)
  • RSS Courageous (96)
  • RSS Gallant (97)
  • RSS Daring (98)
  • RSS Dauntless (99)
  • RSS Resilience (82)
  • RSS Unity (83)
  • RSS Sovereignty (84)
  • RSS Justice (85)
  • RSS Freedom (86)
  • RSS Independence (87)

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 will build the eight vessels at its Singapore Benoi Yard. While the group’s electronics arm, ST Electronics, will supply the core combat systems and combat system integration solutions. ST Marine will carry out the platform system integration as the lead system integrator. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2016 and all eight vessels will be fully operational by 2020.[1][2]

History

The Fearless-class patrol vessels were ordered as replacements for the earlier Swift-class coastal patrol crafts after they had been transferred to the Police Coast Guard.[3] The contract was awarded to ST Marine on 27 February 1993. The first six vessels are fitted for anti-submarine warfare, while the remainder are configured as patrol vessels.

In 1996, the Defence Science Technology Agency project team leading the patrol vessel project was awarded the Defence Technology Prize.[4]

On 3 January 2003, RSS Courageous was badly damaged in a collision with a container ship in the Singapore Strait.[5] The ship has since been stricken from the navy list.[6]

In January 2005, 189 Squadron was transferred to the Coastal Command from the Fleet, and the 11 ships now form the 182 and 189 Squadron.[7]

In April 2012, ST Marine was awarded a contract by the Ministry of Defence of the Oman to build four 75-metre (246 ft) patrol vessels based on the Fearless class. The vessels was delivered as the Al-Ofouq class between 2015 and 2016.[8]

On 26 January 2021, at a ceremony at RSS Singapura, 2 vessels MSRV Sentinel and MSRV Guardian entered operational service as part of the 4-ship Sentinel-class maritime security and response vessels (MSRV). The 4 ships are refurbished ex-Fearless-class patrol vessels to be deployed by the RSN's Maritime Security Command (MARSEC) in its Maritime Security and Response Flotilla. The other 2, MSRV Protector and MSRV Bastion, will be refurbished and operationalised in the coming months, added Mindef. In addition to refitting the vessels to extend their operational lifespan, the Sentinel-class MSRVs will be installed with a range of calibrated capabilities. This includes enhanced communications equipment, improved visual and audio warning systems, installation of a fender system and modular ballistics protection.[9]

Ships of class
Name Pennant Number Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Remarks
RSS Fearless9418 February 19955 October 199627 August 2019[10]
RSS Brave959 September 19955 October 199627 August 2019[10]
RSS Courageous969 September 19955 October 1996-N.A.-Stricken May 2003
RSS Gallant9727 April 19963 May 199711 December 2020[11]
RSS Daring9827 April 19963 May 199719 July 2018[12]
RSS Dauntless9923 November 19963 May 199727 August 2019[10]
RSS Resilience8223 November 19967 February 199819 July 2018[12]
RSS Unity8319 July 19977 February 19983 October 2017[13]
RSS Sovereignty8419 July 19977 February 19983 October 2017[13]
RSS Justice8518 October 199722 August 19983 October 2017[13]
RSS Freedom8618 October 199722 August 199811 December 2020[11]
RSS Independence8719 April 199822 August 19988 March 2017[14]

References

Navy unveils new maritime security flotilla, with armed ships that can go alongside vessels quickly

Notes
  1. "MINDEF Signs Contract with ST Engineering for the Construction of Eight New Vessels" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  2. "ST Engineering Wins Newbuild Contract for Eight Naval Vessels for the Republic of Singapore Navy" (Press release). ST Engineering. 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  3. "Factsheet - History of RSN's Patrol Vessels". Ministry of Defence of Singapore (MINDEF). 15 June 2005. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  4. "DTP Roll of Honour Defence Technology Prize 2007". Ministry of Defence of Singapore (MINDEF). 8 October 2007. Archived from the original on July 27, 2011. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  5. "One dead in naval collision". BBC News. 4 January 2003. Archived from the original on 1 April 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  6. Saunders, Stephen (2008–2009). Jane's Fighting Ships (111 ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2845-9.
  7. "COSCOM Expands" (PDF). Navy News. Ministry of Defence of Singapore (MINDEF). 2005. p. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  8. "ST Engineering Secures PVs Contract". navaltoday.com. 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  9. "Factsheet - New Maritime Security and Response Flotilla to Enhance Maritime Security". Ministry of Defence of Singapore (MINDEF). 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  10. "RSS Fearless, RSS Brave and RSS Dauntless Retire After Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 27 August 2019. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  11. "Final Two Patrol Vessels RSS Freedom and RSS Gallant Retire After Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  12. "RSS Daring and RSS Resilience Retire After Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 19 July 2018. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  13. "RSN Warships Sovereignty, Unity and Justice Retire After Close to Two Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 3 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  14. "RSS Independence Retires After Close to Two Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
This article is issued from Wikipedia. The text is licensed under Creative Commons - Attribution - Sharealike. Additional terms may apply for the media files.