Fearless-class patrol vessel explained

The Fearless-class patrol vessels were built by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the 1990s. Four remain in service with the RSN as modified Sentinel-class maritime security and response vessels (MSRVs). Derivatives of the type are also in service in the navies of Brunei, Oman, and the United Arab Emirates.

Development

The Fearless-class patrol vessels were ordered as replacements for the earlier coastal patrol craft after they had been transferred to the Police Coast Guard.[1] The contract was awarded to ST Marine on 27 February 1993.

Design and construction

The patrol vessel is powered by two MTU 12V 595 TE 90 turbocharged diesel engines coupled to ZF gearboxes. It is equipped with an MTU ship control monitoring and management system (SCMMS). In a departure from traditional conventional drives, the patrol vessel is fitted with twin waterjet systems developed by Kamewa of Sweden. The patrol vessel's main gun, installed on the bow deck, is the OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapide. The patrol vessels are also armed with four CIS 50 12.7 mm machine guns. The air defence system is the Simbad twin missile launcher for the Mistral surface-to-air missile. The first six vessels of the class were fitted for anti-submarine warfare, and are additionally armed with triple tube 324mm B515 torpedo launchers from Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei S.p.A. (WASS).

Sentinel-class maritime security and response vessels

In 2021, four former Fearless-class patrol vessels were refurbished and re-inducted into service as Sentinel-class maritime security and response vessels (MSRV). The refurbishment plan was announced in March 2020 in response to the increase of sea robberies within the region, and foreign intrusions of Singapore territorial waters.[2] [3] The first two vessels, MSRV Sentinel (55) and Guardian (56), entered operational service with the RSN's Maritime Security and Response Flotilla on 26 January 2021, with the latter two, MSRV Protector (57) and Bastion (58), joining them on 20 January 2022.[3]

In addition to refitting the vessels to extend their operational lifespan, the Sentinel-class MSRVs were fitted with a range of calibrated capabilities, including enhanced communications equipment, improved visual and audio warning systems, and modular ballistics protection on their superstructures. As part of the refit, non-lethal LRAD and laser dazzling systems were added to increase operational flexibility, while fenders were incorporated into the hull to come alongside vessels of interest.[4] The MSRVs retain the 76 mm Oto Melara naval gun that was previously in service on the Fearless-class, but have additionally been equipped with a Typhoon 25 mm naval gun system at stern. For point defence, the MSRVs are also equipped with 7.62 mm machine gun positions near their bridge wings.[5]

Operational history

Over the years, the patrol vessel fleet has participated in various maritime security missions, safeguarding Singapore's waters, and deterring piracy and sea robbery, as well as search-and-rescue efforts.

On 3 January 2003, was badly damaged in a collision with a container ship in the Singapore Strait.[6] The ship has since been stricken from the navy list.[7]

In January 2005, 189 Squadron was transferred to the Coastal Command from the Fleet, with the 11 ships forming the 182 and 189 Squadron.[8]

On 30 January 2013, the Ministry of Defence of Singapore (MINDEF) awarded ST Engineering a contract to design and build a new class of eight littoral mission vessels (LMVs), which progressively replaced the Fearless-class patrol vessels from 2017.[9] [10] The final two Fearless-class patrol vessels, RSS Freedom and Gallant, were decommissioned in December 2020.[11]

Exports

In April 2012, ST Marine was awarded a contract by the Ministry of Defence of Oman to build four 75m (246feet) patrol vessels based on the Fearless class. The vessels were delivered as the between 2015 and 2016.[12]

In November 2021, ST Engineering was awarded a sub-contract for design, platform equipment, and technical assistance by Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), which is building four Falaj 3-class offshore patrol vessels based on the Fearless-class for the United Arab Emirates Navy.[13]

In March 2023, following their refurbishment, the former Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) vessels RSS Brave and Gallant were transferred as a gift to the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN;, TLDB), renamed as KBD As-Siddiq and KBD Al-Faruq.[14]

Ships of class

Fearless-class patrol vessels!name!!pennant
no.!!launched!!commissioned!!decommissioned!!notes
RSS Fearless94[15]
RSS Brave95refurbished and gifted to the Royal Brunei Navy
(RBN) as KDB As-Siddiq
96—stricken May 2003
RSS Gallant97[16] refurbished and gifted to the Royal Brunei Navy
(RBN) as KDB Al-Faruq
RSS Daring98[17]
RSS Dauntless99current MSRV Guardian (56)
RSS Resilience82
RSS Unity83[18]
RSS Sovereignty84
RSS Justice85
RSS Freedom86[19]
RSS Independence87[20]

External links

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Factsheet - History of RSN's Patrol Vessels. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 15 June 2005. 18 July 2011. https://web.archive.org/web/20170703062804/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1998/aug/22aug98_nr/22aug98_fs.html. 3 July 2017. dead.
  2. News: Lim. Min Zhang. 2 March 2020. Parliament: SAF to restructure to deal with cyber, terrorism, maritime threats. StraitsTimes.com. The Straits Times. 26 January 2021.
  3. Web site: Fact sheet: new maritime security and response flotilla to enhance maritime security. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 26 January 2021. 4 January 2024.
  4. Web site: Infographic: Maritime Security and Response Flotilla. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 26 January 2021. 1 February 2021.
  5. Web site: Singapore inaugurates Maritime Security and Response Flotilla. Janes.com. 21 March 2023.
  6. News: One dead in naval collision. News.BBC.co.uk. BBC News. 4 January 2003. 18 July 2011. 1 April 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20100401010231/http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/asia-pacific/2626959.stm. live.
  7. Book: Saunders, Stephen. 2008–2009. Jane's Fighting Ships. 111. Alexandria, Virginia. Jane's Information Group. 978-0-7106-2845-9.
  8. Web site: Navy News – COSCOM expands. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 1. 2005. 18 July 2011. 5. live. https://web.archive.org/web/20130520083235/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/navy/navynews/documents/2005/0501.pdf. 20 May 2013.
  9. MINDEF signs contract with ST Engineering for the construction of eight new vessels. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 30 January 2013. 31 January 2013. 1 February 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20200201060026/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2013/january/2013Jan30-News-Releases-02233. live.
  10. ST Engineering wins newbuild contract for eight naval vessels for the Republic of Singapore Navy. STEngg.com. ST Engineering. 30 January 2013. 31 January 2013. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20130203063534/http://www.stengg.com/press-centre/press-releases/st-engineering-wins-newbuild-contract-for-eight-naval-vessels-for-the-republic-of-singapore-navy. 3 February 2013.
  11. Web site: Singapore Navy decommissions final two Fearless-class patrol vessels. NavalToday.com. 11 December 2022. 21 March 2023.
  12. Web site: ST Engineering secures PVs contract. NavalToday.com. 9 April 2012. 6 January 2013. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304064538/http://navaltoday.com/2012/04/09/st-engineering-secures-pvs-contract/. 4 March 2016. live.
  13. ST Engineering secures international defence contract for Falaj 3-class offshore patrol vessels for UAE Navy. STEngg.com. ST Engineering. 15 November 2021. 1 December 2021.
  14. News: Rahmat. Ridzwan. 10 March 2023. Brunei to induct ex-Singapore Fearless-class patrol boats. Janes.com. Janes. 6 January 2024.
  15. RSS Fearless, RSS Brave and RSS Dauntless retire after decades of distinguished service. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 27 August 2019. 27 August 2019. 28 August 2019. https://web.archive.org/web/20190828101052/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2019/August/27aug19_nr. live.
  16. Final two patrol vessels RSS Freedom and RSS Gallant retire after decades of distinguished service. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 11 December 2020. 11 December 2020. 11 December 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20201211141213/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2020/December/11dec20_nr. live.
  17. RSS Daring and RSS Resilience retire after decades of distinguished service. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 19 July 2018. 19 July 2018. 20 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180720165844/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2018/july/19jul18_nr. live.
  18. RSN warships Sovereignty, Unity and Justice retire after close to two decades of distinguished service. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 3 October 2017. 3 October 2017. 20 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180720165826/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2017/october/03oct17_nr. live.
  19. Web site: RSN COSCOM's capability boosted. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 22 August 1998. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20060313052313/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1998/aug/22aug98_nr.html. 13 March 2006.
  20. RSS Independence retires after close to two decades of distinguished service. MINDEF.gov.sg. Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 8 March 2017. 8 March 2017. 20 July 2018. https://web.archive.org/web/20180720171415/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2017/march/08mar17_nr2. live.

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