The Ministry of Defense of Singapore announced on November 14 at the naval base "Changi" the ceremony of commissioning the country's Navy of two new patrol ships of the coastal zone LMV - (16) "Savrinti" and (17) "Unity".
The event was attended by the Minister of Defense of the country Ng Yong Hen, who described the LMV platform as a "quantum leap" compared to the previously used Fireless-class patrol ships.
Savrinty and Unity became the second and third LMV-class ships in the Singapore Navy.
As TSAMTO reported, on January 30, 2013, the Ministry of Defense of Singapore signed a contract with ST Engineering for the design and construction of eight 80-meter LMV coastal patrol ships. They will replace 11 Fierless-class patrol ships built by ST Marine in the mid-1990s, which have been in service for over 20 years. The Singapore Navy decommissioned three Firless-class patrol ships (Savrinty, Unity and Justice) in early October 2017.
The new ships are designed to patrol, protect maritime infrastructure and sea lanes of communication, as well as intercept violators and escorts.
The keel laying of the LMV lead ship, (15) Independence, took place in September 2014. It was launched on July 3, 2015 and handed over to the Singapore Navy on May 26, 2016. The ship entered the fleet on May 5, 2017.
At the moment, the Singapore Navy has three ships of the series: (15) Independence, (16) Savrinti and (17) Unity. On October 31, the fourth ship, (18) Justice, was handed over to the fleet. The launch of the fifth ship of the series, (19) Indomitable, took place on September 23, 2017. Fortitude, Dontless and Firless are also in various stages of construction.
The delivery of all ships is planned to be completed by 2020. They will be part of the 182nd Squadron of the Singapore Navy and will be deployed at the Tuas naval base.
The length of the ship of the LMV project is 80 m, width - 12 m, total displacement - 1250 tons. Power point type CODAD includes four MTU 20V 4000 M93L diesel engines with a total power of 11532 hp. Maximum speed - more than 27 knots, cruising range - 3500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots, autonomy - 14 days. The high level of automation allows the ship to be controlled by only 23 crew members (including 5 officers). It is possible to accommodate another 30 troops. The ship can take the S-70B Seahawk medium helicopter. Two RHIB boats or an unmanned surface boat "Protektor" can be placed on board.
The armament includes a 76/62-mm Super Rapid artillery mount from Oto Melara, one 25-mm stabilized Typhoon Mk.25 gun from Rafael, two Hitrole remote-controlled weapon stations from Oto Melara with 12.7-mm machine guns . The ships are also equipped with a 12-container vertical launcher for the MBDA VL MICA anti-aircraft missile system located in the bow, which provides protection against air threats at ranges up to 20 km.
In addition, non-lethal weapons are placed on board, including two hoses and two turrets with long-range acoustic emitters LRAD (Long-Range Acoustic Device) and blinding xenon searchlights.
FOREIGN MILITARY REVIEW No. 12/2007, pp. 58-66
Captain 2nd rank P. SIDOROV
The Republic of Singapore is a small island country located in the southern part of the Strait of Malacca, which connects the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It has existed as an independent state since 1965. The population is 4.4 million people. In the north, the republic borders with Malaysia, in the south - with Indonesia.
Despite the fact that the area of its territory is only 247 square meters. miles, and the length of the coastline - 104 miles, this state plays a prominent role in both the global economy and politics. Due to its geographical position, Singapore has become a crossing point for sea routes from Europe to Far East, from Japan, China, the Philippines to Australia and the countries of South and Southeast Asia (a total of about 250 shipping routes that cover and connect more than 600 seaports around the world).
The port of Singapore is one of the largest in the world: in terms of cargo turnover and technical equipment, it ranks fourth after the ports of Rotterdam, New York and Yokohama. On its outer roads more than 100 ships gather simultaneously, every 15 minutes another ship moors or sets off. Annually sea port accepts up to 40 thousand ships from all over the world. In addition, the most important transcontinental airlines pass through Singapore, and its international airport serves more than 3 million passengers annually. All this contributed to the fact that the country has become one of the leading trading centers in the world.
Singapore is an active member of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), which was established in August 1967 and is now considered one of the most successful organizations in the world, forming a security center not only regional but also global.
According to the military-political leadership (MPL) of the Republic of Singapore, national naval forces- this is the main tool for ensuring the country's security and unimpeded access to the lines of maritime communications in the region. The primary tasks of the Singapore Navy are to protect the country's territory from threats from the sea and the protection of sea lanes. In the course of solving these problems, in addition to independently patrolling and monitoring the situation in the Singapore Strait, the country's Navy works closely with other national departments, such as the Coast Guard Police (Police Coast Guard) and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Such cooperation makes it possible to implement a set of comprehensive measures to ensure the safety of ships passing through the territorial waters, especially in the face of growing terrorist threats (mainly from the manifestations of maritime piracy taking place in the Strait of Malacca). Measures are also being taken to improve the security of both foreign and domestic ships based here.
Republic of Singapore Navy as an independent branch of the armed forces were formed in 1975. Organizationally, they include a headquarters, a fleet, three commands: coastal defense, rear and training, as well as a unit of combat swimmers-divers as a maritime component of Singapore's Special Operations Forces (SOF). The general command of the forces is carried out by the Commander of the Navy (Rear Admiral). According to foreign information sources, the number personnel The Navy at the beginning of 2007 reached 4,500 people (of which about 1,900 conscripts, the rest were contract soldiers), there were up to 5,000 people in the reserve.
Organizational structure of the Navy of the Republic of Singapore
Naval Headquarters, located on the Tuas naval base, it consists of five departments: operational, intelligence, planning, logistics and personnel. The headquarters is headed by a chief with the rank of Rear Admiral.
Fleet together with divisions of the coastal defense command, it has 35 warships (four submarines, two URO frigates, six missile corvettes, four minesweepers, 11 patrol and eight landing ships), as well as at least 170 boats of various classes, including missile (six), patrol (12), landing (at least 55 in service with a displacement of 4-18 tons, in reserve about 75), special purpose providing combat swimmers (16). In addition, up to 450 assault (river) boats are available.
Organizationally, the fleet includes: a division of submarines, the 1st and 3rd flotillas of surface ships and boats. Divisions of mine-sweeping ships, patrol ships and boats are assigned to the coastal defense command. The leadership of the fleet forces is entrusted to the commander of the fleet (rear admiral).
As part of 171st submarine division there are four Challenger-type submarines (Sjoormen, project A 12) of Swedish construction (Kokkums shipyard) 1968-1969. Two of them - "Conqueror" and "Chieften" - were transferred to Singapore after modernization in 2000 and 2001, the other two - "Challenger" and "Centurion" - remained in Sweden to train Singaporean crews until the beginning of 2004 and were transferred to the fleet for middle of the same year. All boats, including the fifth one, the Sjohastle, which was also transferred to Singapore (for spare parts), are based in the Changi naval base.
1st flotilla includes two divisions of surface ships: the 188th, which has six missile (according to national classification) Victory-type corvettes, and the 185th, six Sea Wolf-type missile boats.
Location naval bases, flag and coat of arms of the Singapore Navy
In 2006, the frigate URO "Fore-Middle" also became part of the 185th division (the lead in a series of six under construction, the second ship of this type, the Intrepid, was handed over to the fleet in 2007, but has not yet reached full combat readiness) . All ships of the flotilla, equipped with the latest weapons systems, combat control, surveillance and communications, are considered the main strike force of the national naval forces. They can solve the widest range of tasks in maritime theaters, including the fight against air and surface targets, as well as against enemy submarines. By 2009, when all Formidbl-class frigates are scheduled to enter service, the obsolete Sea Wolf-class RCAs will be decommissioned. As a result, the combat capabilities of the flotilla will increase significantly. The headquarters and ships of the flotilla are based in the naval base of Changi.
Part 3rd flotilla includes the 191st landing craft division (three to four Endurance-type TDCs and four LCU-class RPL small landing craft), as well as a division of special-purpose fast boats.
Naval aviation represented by S-70B Seahawk helicopters (six), as well as Fokker F50 ME2 base patrol aircraft (five from 121 AE) and E-2C Hawkeye AWACS (four, 111 AE), which are regularly assigned to the Air Force , but have consolidated crews, staffed by air force and navy flight crews. In addition, transport and search and rescue helicopters CH-47SD (12, 127 AE) and AS335 Super Puma (22, 125 AE) are used in the interests of the Navy.
Squad of combat swimmers-divers is the maritime component of the Singapore SOF (along with the land and police components). Responsible for conducting special operations on the ground with underwater sabotage forces and means of the enemy, and is also engaged in the search for and clearance of mines. The headquarters and units of the detachment are based at the Sembawang naval base. The delivery of reconnaissance and sabotage groups of combat swimmers and sappers to the place of performance of tasks is carried out by high-speed boats of the HSIC type (High Speed Infiltration Craft) and diving boats. The Navy has six HSIC boats and 10 diving boats. As weapons, they have 40-mm grenade launchers, 12.7- and 7.62-mm machine guns and organizationally reduced to the division of the 3rd Flotilla of the Fleet. Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats (Rigid Hull Inflatable Boats) have now entered service with the detachment.
Frigate URO "Intrepid"
Coastal Defense Command includes the 194th division of mine-sweeping ships, consisting of four minesweepers - searchers for mines of the Bedok type, two divisions (182- and 189th) of patrol ships, consisting of six and five PCs of the Fearless type, respectively, and a division of patrol boats (12 PKA class PB). The tasks of the command include ensuring the protection of the territorial waters of the state, as well as the two main naval bases of Singapore - Tuas and Changi, conducting search and rescue and patrol operations in the Singapore Strait zone in cooperation with the coast guard police and the customs service. Since 1993, in accordance with a bilateral agreement, the navies of Singapore and Indonesia have been regularly carrying out joint patrols in the waters of this strait. All ships and boats of the command are based in the Tuas naval base. The command is also in charge of coastal radar stations (five) of the air and surface surveillance systems, the data from which are automatically transmitted to the naval headquarters. They are located in the Changi Naval Base area and at Pedra Branca, St. John's Island, Sultan Shoal Lighthouse and Raffles Lighthouse.
Maritime Police Service BOHR is centrally subordinated to the country's police department and has over 1,000 personnel. It is armed with up to 90 patrol boats of various displacements (from 18 to 46 tons), most of which were previously in service with the country's Navy. In addition, the service has a significant number of small harbor boats and inflatable boats (in particular, four types of RHIB). Its tasks include combating piracy, smuggling, drug trafficking, illegal migration, patrolling in a three-mile zone of territorial waters. Two divisions of boats (Coast Guard and Special Purpose) are the reserve of the naval forces (in case of war). All patrol boats of the Marine Police are armed with 20- and 25-mm ZAU, as well as 12.7- and 7.62-mm machine guns. Especially for the BOHR police, 10 PKA with a displacement of 140 tons and a cruising range of up to 900 miles (at a speed of 15 knots) are being built. These boats are to be commissioned in 2008-2010.
rear command, formed in 1986, is intended for the implementation of all types of logistic and logistics support for the Navy. Organizationally, it includes the naval base Tuas, Changi and Sembawang, each of which has a security company, repair enterprises with their own warehouses, medical and computer centers, and other logistics services. Repair of ships and their subsequent Maintenance are produced mainly at the Tuas and Changi naval bases. Subordinate to the rear command are also units that are engaged in transportation and cargo handling in the port. The Home Front Command, in conjunction with the Naval Headquarters Logistics Directorate, maintains close ties with both the national research industries, such as the Singapore Technologies Engineering Group, and some defense organizations, such as the Defense Research Agency. The main goal of this cooperation is to improve the quality of the logistics of the Navy, to attract new technologies in the process of maintenance and repair of ships and ship equipment.
Training Command is responsible for the training and advanced training of all categories of personnel of the Navy, and it also provides all forms of combat and operational training of units and units of the Navy. The command is subordinate to two educational institutions in which the military personnel of the country's Navy are trained - the naval academy (The Institute of Maritime Warfare) and the naval college (The Institute of Maritime Operations and Systems). In the training of officers at the Naval Academy, simulators and computer simulators are widely used to provide training for combat crews in the tactics and skills necessary in modern combat. The Naval War College provides basic naval training, which includes basic military training, specialty training, and ship damage control.
Every year the best officers and non-commissioned officers are sent to command and staff and other special courses, including abroad (in particular, to the USA, India). Representatives of the Navy regularly take part in international naval symposiums, seminars and conferences. The amphibious assault ship Sir Lancelot, acquired from the UK in 1992, is used as a training ship.
Operational and combat training of the Navy is carried out on the basis of tactical training centers in the Tuas and Changi naval bases. The personnel of units, subdivisions and command and control bodies of the national navies are basically prepared for the fulfillment of the assigned tasks and are able to control modern weapons and military equipment. The fleet is maintained in readiness for various operations both in peacetime and in wartime.
As a representative of the international community, Singapore takes part in a series of so-called non-military operations (Operations other than War), including peacekeeping, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and others.
In the field of military cooperation, the leadership of the Navy of the Republic pays the closest attention to the establishment of bilateral relations and military-technical cooperation with its main ally in the region - the United States. Every year, the fleet participates in joint exercises with the US Navy as part of a “bilateral cooperation plan for organizing combat training and maritime security”, aimed, in particular, at increasing combat capability during joint anti-aircraft, anti-submarine and rescue operations. Singapore regularly provides its rear naval facilities to serve American ships and submarines present in the region.
Periodically, joint exercises are also held with the navies of Thailand, Malaysia, Brunei and the United States as part of the CARAT (Cooperation Afloat Readiness And Training) program, aimed at improving the combat readiness and working out the interaction of the surface forces of the fleets in the field of combat training. Maneuvers of this type have been carried out in the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca, off the coast of these ASEAN member countries, every year since 1995.
As part of the Asia-Pacific Naval Forum, Singapore provides its naval facilities and territorial waters for multinational demonstration exercises, which are part of the International Naval Equipment Exhibition (IMDEX) organized annually on its territory. The last such maneuvers took place between 15 and 20 May 2007 at the Changi Naval Base. The ships of the US Navy, China, France, Japan, Australia, New Zealand, India, Pakistan, Republic of Korea took part in them, which jointly practiced such tasks as countering threats from maritime terrorism, overcoming minefields, and conducting search and rescue operations at sea etc.
Since the formation of the Singapore Navy (essentially being then the forces of the Coast Guard) has developed rapidly, which allowed them to effectively perform the main tasks of defense maritime borders, protection of lines of sea communications and coastal waters. In the future, it was possible to create a fleet that is quite balanced in composition and combat capabilities, capable of solving the widest range of tasks - from countering traditional military threats to combating the so-called asymmetric threats and ensuring maritime security, both in the region and beyond.
The main direction of the construction of the Navy Singapore is implementing a program to create a 3rd generation naval force, which, according to the calculations of the fleet command, has broader capabilities for solving operational and tactical tasks. As expected, the level of interaction between types of aircraft will be significantly increased, including in terms of information support which will allow them to properly respond to changes in the military-political situation.
According to this program, strengthening the combat capabilities of the national navies and turning them into modern, efficient and maneuverable forces is planned to be achieved as a result of the implementation of a number of promising programs.
Submarine Procurement Program. AT In November 2005, the Ministry of Defense of the Republic of Singapore, together with the Swedish side, signed a contract on the transfer of two Vestergotland-class submarines (Project A 17) built in 1987-1988 to the country's Navy. The performance characteristics of the new submarines (see reference data) are significantly superior to those available on this moment off Singapore, which will allow the country's submarine forces to reach a new level of technical equipment and combat capabilities. The personnel of the crews of these submarines will be trained in Sweden. The boats will be specially improved by the Swedish side for operations in tropical waters. They will be equipped with an air-independent engine (Sterling Mk III AIP by Kokums) and equipped with a dock chamber for combat swimmers of the MTR. It is expected that by 2010 these boats will replace two obsolete Challenger types.
Frigate building program includes the purchase in France of six frigates of the Formidbl type (modified Lafayette, project Delta) with a displacement of up to 3,200 tons. at Singapore Technologies National Shipyard. The transfer of the last of them to the fleet is scheduled for 2009. Launched in 2004, the program is aimed at equipping the country's Navy with modern frigates that meet all the latest trends in shipbuilding. The ships of this project are equipped with launchers of the Harpoon anti-ship missiles (8 anti-ship missiles), four eight-cell air launchers of the Silver A43 air defense system (32 Aster-15 missiles), are equipped with a platform for the S-70B Seahok naval aviation helicopter, as well as modern radio-electronic means. The combat radius of the frigate is a 200 km zone, within which it is capable of combating surface and air targets, effectively detecting and destroying enemy submarines from long distances. Thanks to the use of stealth technology, it has low visibility and increased survivability. Ships of this class will form the main striking force of the modernized Navy and will be included in the latest integrated command and control system (Integrated Knowledge-based Command and Control - IKC2) of the Singapore Armed Forces.
Naval Helicopter Procurement Program. In January 2005, the Singapore Ministry of Defense signed a contract with the American company Sikorsky Aircraft for the purchase of six S-70B naval aviation helicopters for Formidbl-class frigates under construction. They are expected to be delivered between 2008 and 2010. These machines are equipped with modern weapons systems that allow you to effectively deal with both surface ships and submarines of potential enemies before they reach the range of weapons and can be used in search and rescue purposes and operations to evacuate the wounded or victims of natural disasters.
Further improvement of the amphibious capabilities of the fleet will be achieved by modernizing four Endurance-class tank landing ships built in 2000-2001 at the Singapore Technologies Marine shipyard. Improvements will include increasing the size of the deck and dock to accommodate and effective application helicopters and landing craft. Ships of this type can also be used as command ships during exercises. It is also planned to purchase advanced hovercraft of the Tiger-40 type (testing of the first such vessel AVH-1 has been underway since 2005).
It should be noted that the tank landing ships of the Singapore Navy were used to provide humanitarian assistance to Indonesia, which suffered from the devastating tsunami in December 2004. During that operation, they were used to supply food, equipment and machinery to areas where, as a result of natural disaster airports and roads were destroyed. These ships were also used for the logistics of the personnel of the Singapore Armed Forces stationed in Indonesia, as well as landing platforms for helicopters involved in humanitarian aid operations and rescue victims of the tsunami. TDK "Resolution" in 2004-2005 was sent to the Persian Gulf to support the military operations of the coalition forces in Iraq. From it, in particular, tests of the Protector autonomously controlled surface vehicle were carried out (two such vehicles - USV - were purchased in Israel from the Rafael company).
In the field military-technical cooperation in addition to the purchase of military equipment and weapons, it is planned to further strengthen and develop bilateral relations with the United States and other states (for example, with India) on training programs for naval personnel, mutual exchange of military students educational institutions and conducting joint exercises. This year it was planned, in particular, the participation of Singapore in the annual multinational naval exercises SIMBEX-2007 held with the Indian Navy.
Thus, the military-political leadership of the Republic of Singapore is clearly aware of the importance of having a modern and efficient navy, which in the current international situation is and will remain in the future the main means of ensuring the country's security. The program of modernization of the national navies, which is currently being implemented, is aimed at a qualitative increase in their combat capabilities, which will allow them to take their rightful place among the fleets of the countries of the region in the future.
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Having become independent in 1965, the former British colony managed to make a leap, turning from a third world country into a highly developed state with high level life. The most developed industry is shipbuilding. At the time of independence, impoverished Singapore had only two wooden patrol ships, which became part of the Singapore Volunteer Force. Today, the Singaporean Navy is considered one of the best in the region..
The Singapore Navy received its official status on April 1, 1975. Their main task is to protect against attack from the sea and protect trade sea routes in the waters of the Singapore Strait. Singapore is part of a military alliance with Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and the UK.
Frigates and corvettes
The most modern ships of the Singapore Navy - six Formidable-class frigates(modification of La Fayette frigates). These are the most high-tech warships in Southeast Asia, which can serve as an information center for connecting ships. Form the 185th squadron.
In March 2000, the Ministry of Defense of Singapore signed a contract for the development and construction of six frigates with the French company DCNS. The key point of the contract is the transfer of technology. The first frigate was built in France, the other five in Singapore. Further maintenance and upgrades are provided by Singapore-based ST Marine (STM).
The main design feature of the frigate's hull is the design measures to reduce the effective scattering surface. They include inclined surfaces of the sides, bulwarks and superstructures, part of the equipment is hidden in the hull, composite materials and special radio-absorbing coatings are widely used. Compared to the prototype, the frigates demonstrate better seaworthiness and greater autonomy, as well as reduced radar visibility.
The frigates are designed as nodes of an integrated network of command and control of the armed forces of Singapore, built on a principle similar to American network-centric systems. The main components of the network are the combat information and control system (CICS) developed in Singapore and the dual data transmission system based on the Fast Ethernet protocol (the common name for a set of standards for data transmission in computer networks using Ethernet technology at speeds up to 100 Mbps, unlike the original 10 Mbps).
Each frigate has a zone of responsibility with a radius of 360 kilometers. Acting as a mobile operations center, it receives information from the same type of ships and air objects that are within reach. The combat control system integrates all available information, creating a complete picture of the combat zone and transmitting it to coastal operators and other participants in the operation. Expansion of controlled space and minimum time reaction to the threat does not leave the enemy time to respond.
A feature of the construction of a series of these warships is the integration carried out by Singaporean specialists into a single combat complex of weapon systems produced in different countries
:
- Harpoon anti-ship missile and ALOFTS sonar system (USA);
- Aster anti-aircraft missile system and Herakles radar station (France);
- 76-mm gun mount Oto Melara (Italy);
- electron-optical SUAO (Germany).
The ship is adapted for basing a Seahawk helicopter on it.
In 1983, Singapore ordered six Victory-class corvettes according to the German project MGB 62. The first one was built by the German Lurssen Werft, the rest were built already in Singapore at the ST Marine shipyard. They entered the Navy in 1990-1991. They have anti-submarine weapons and form the 188th squadron, part of the First Flotilla.
In 1996, Barak I missile launchers were installed on the corvettes, as well as additional electronic weapons. In 2011, the replacement of the Sea Giraffe 150HC radar with the Sea Giraffe AMB began. In 2012, as part of the service life extension program, the ships underwent modernization, the main points of which were the installation of new CIUS, electronic weapons and ScanEagle UAVs.
Fearless-class corvettes designed and built at the Singapore shipyard ST Marine. Entered service in 1996-1998. The first five ships form the 189th squadron, the remaining six - the 182nd. The hull is made of steel, the superstructure is made of light alloy. The design allows the installation of additional equipment, radar and weapons. The first six ships are armed with anti-submarine torpedoes. On some, instead of 25-mm guns, air defense systems were installed in the form of Simbad air defense systems at the stern. Kamewa water jets provide high maneuverability.
In total, the Singapore Navy has eleven corvettes of this type. Initially, there were twelve of them, but in 2003, the RSS Courageous anti-submarine corvette (Singapore Navy ships and vessels have the RSS prefix from the English Republic of Singapore Ship - Republic of Singapore Ship) collided with a merchant ship, received significant damage and was withdrawn from the fleet. To enhance readiness, each ship has a backup crew. RSS Unity is used as a testbed for new technologies.
On January 30, 2013, the Singapore Ministry of Defense awarded ST Marine a contract to build eight new ships to replace the Fearless-class corvettes. Delivery of the first is scheduled for 2015-2016. A total of eight ships are expected to be delivered by 2020. According to some estimates, the value of the contract can reach up to two billion US dollars.
In 2012, the Sultanate of Oman awarded a contract to ST Engineering to build four ships based on the Fearless project. The length of the new ship (type Al-Ofouq) is 75 meters, the contract amount is about 535 million euros. Propulsion will be propellers, not water cannons. Also, thanks to the length increased by 20 meters, in addition to the UAV, a helicopter will be placed on these ships.
Landing ships, minesweepers and submarines
The largest ships of the Singapore Navy - troop transport Endurance. Plans for their creation were first announced in 1996, when it became necessary to replace the old amphibious assault ships (LST) of the County type received from the United States in the 70s. Form the 191st squadron.
The design of the new ships was an important milestone in the history of Singaporean shipbuilding due to the scale of the project. Construction was carried out at the shipyard ST Marine. In 2000–2001, Endurance-class ships were commissioned into the fleet.
They have a docking chamber for four landing craft, as well as a flight deck with the ability to accommodate two helicopters. The integrated ASIST system allows the helicopter to land and move without the presence of personnel on the flight deck.
On board the RSS Resolution are two unmanned Protector boats manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael. They are made on the basis of a rigid-hull inflatable boat, have a superstructure made of composite materials, several video cameras and a gyro-stabilized inertial navigation system. The boat also has an automatic AU, microphones and a loudspeaker.
On November 11, 2008, a contract was signed in the amount of SGD 200 million for the supply of one Endurance-class ship to Thailand. In 2011, this ship, named HTMS Angthong, was launched and handed over to the customer a year later.
At the end of 2010, ST Marine announced a new project landing craft Endurance 160 with a displacement of more than 14,000 tons with a full-size flight deck. It is planned that its crew will be twice as large as the existing Endurance, plus 150 pilots and technical staff. The ship will also acquire the capabilities of a hospital ship, for which it is provided with a spacious infirmary and the necessary medical equipment.
The construction of such a ship will bring the Singapore Navy to a whole new level. A full-sized flight deck with the prospect of installing a springboard will allow you to receive not only helicopters, but also SUVVP. Experience in the construction of ships of this class, which are formally amphibious helicopter carriers, but in fact light aircraft carriers, is available in Japan (Hyuga type).
At the end of 1995, the Singapore Navy included four Bedok-class minesweepers, which form the 194th squadron. According to experts, in the event of a real mine threat, which will lead to the shutdown of the Singapore commercial port, the damage will be approximately 1.2 billion US dollars per day. So these ships are playing important role in securing the economy of Singapore.
The lead ship Bedok was built at the Swedish shipyard Karlskonavarvet (now Kockums) according to the Landsort project. The rest of the blocks were built in Sweden and assembled in Singapore at ST Marine.
The ships are constructed from fiberglass reinforced plastic, which ensures a low magnetic signature. The bridge equipment, engines and main systems are mounted on shock absorbers. Each ship is equipped with Voit-Schneider propellers, which provide them with good controllability and maneuverability.
In November 2008, a program for the modernization of Bedok-class ships was announced. The tender was won by Thales, which announced in May 2009 that the Singapore Defense Science and Technology Agency had awarded it a contract to implement the Bedok ship life extension program. Two of the four were planned to be completely modernized, the rest partially.
Thales will install an integrated anti-mine complex with information system on mine weapons, hull and towed GAS, self-propelled vehicles - searchers-destroyers of mines. Thales is also responsible for making structural changes to accommodate new equipment.
The Singapore Navy is five submarines(PL): three types of Challenger (Sjoorman) and two types of Archer (Vastergotland), built by the Swedish shipyard Kockums.
Challenger-class submarines built in the late 60s in Sweden. At one time, they were considered one of the most advanced non-nuclear submarines. Initially intended for operations in the Baltic Sea. In the early 90s, they were withdrawn from the Swedish fleet. In Singapore, they were "tropicalized" for use in warm waters. The air conditioning and hull anti-fouling systems have been upgraded, and a more corrosion-resistant piping system has been installed. In addition, new periscopes have been installed. By 2004, three boats became part of the Singapore Navy. One submarine of the Challenger type, the RSS Challenger itself, was not introduced into the fleet and is used as a training ship. The boats are now over 40 years old.
Archer-class submarines built in the early 80s. In total, four boats of this type were made in Sweden. The first two submarines of the series were sold to Singapore in November 2005. On handover, they went through a process of upgrading for use in tropical waters. Equipped with an air-independent main power plant.
High shipbuilding potential
The existence of Singapore's powerful shipbuilding potential, which is actively working not only in the domestic market, but also for export, allows us to talk about the relative industrial independence of the state in this industry.
Singapore is the only country in the world to have an ekranoplan in its ship register, moreover, of its own construction (Airfish-8).
The state-owned company ST Marine is engaged in the construction of warships. The production capacities of the two main STM shipyards, located in the Jurong and Tuaz regions, allow the construction of frigate-class warships, as well as merchant ships with a tonnage of up to 70 thousand tons. During the period from 2007 to 2010, a number of contracts were signed for the construction of cargo, passenger and special ships for the world's leading transport companies.
The Singapore-Australian company Asia-Ras Geraldton Ltd is building high-speed patrol boats for the Coast Guard of the Navy and the police. The private Singaporean-British company Wasper Private Ltd is also involved in the production of naval equipment, which builds Waspada-type missile boats for the Singaporean Navy and foreign customers, in particular for Bahrain, Brunei, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, Oman.
In 2004, Singapore acquired the bankrupt American subsidiary of the VT Halter Marine shipyard. Through the efforts of the Singaporean management, the shipyard has been returned to the category of profitability and is currently fulfilling a number of long-term orders from the US military department. In addition, for the period from 2008 to 2012, an agreement was concluded with the Egyptian Navy on the construction of a series of missile boats worth more than 640 million US dollars.
Among the major foreign orders, it is necessary to highlight the construction of landing ships for the navies of India, Thailand, Kuwait and Brunei, as well as patrol boats for the Indian Coast Guard. According to the current intergovernmental agreements, US and Thai warships are also being repaired at STM shipyards.
In general, the Singapore Navy is a technologically advanced component of the Armed Forces, capable of performing urgent tasks to ensure the country's security, and military allies, such as the United States and Israel, make it a very serious player in the region.
The shipbuilding industry of the state is able to independently meet the needs of the Navy. All ships in the fleet are very modern or have recently completed a modernization or service life extension program. However, attention is drawn to the absence of light strike forces and the weak component of submarine forces..
The Jane's Fighting Ships 2013-2014 Handbook speaks of the absence of missile boats in the fleet. At the same time, they are successfully built (under license) for export, so it can be assumed with a high degree of probability that the industry of Singapore will meet the needs of the fleet in this sector.
As for submarines, we should expect new purchases abroad in the near future (to replace Challenger-type submarines) with the national industry gradually orienting itself in this direction as well.
Nikolaev A.S. 2016
Submarines of the Singapore Navy.
The date of birth of the Singapore Navy can be considered August 9, 1965, when Singapore gained independence from Malaysia, and together with the separation from Malaysia received 2 wooden ships (RSS "Panglima" and RSS "Singapura"), which became part of the Singapore Volunteer Forces. The official status of the fleet of the Singapore Navy was received on April 1, 1975. They started talking about submarines in Singapore in the 90s of the last century. 09/23/1995 The Government of Singapore bought a submarine from Sweden HMS Sjobjoornen.
type " Challengers »
Submarines of this type belong to the A-12 project (“Sjoormen” type), were built in 1965 - 1969 by the Navy shipyards in Karlskrona and “Kockums Mekaniska Verkstads” in Malmö ( HMS Sjolejonet (29.06.1967), HMS Sjobjoornen (09.01.1968), HMS Sjohunden (21.03.1968), HMS Sjohasten (06.08.1968), HMS Sjoormen(January 25, 1967)). Initially, the design bureau of the Kockums company developed the A-11 project (submarine with a VND based on fuel cells). Great difficulties in creating such an engine forced the company's specialists to reconsider the project in favor of a conventional diesel-electric power plant. The modified A-11 B / 12 project was completed in 1963, and the lead Sjoormen was laid down in 1965, it entered the fleet in 1967. Performance characteristics of the submarine 1130/1400 tons; 50.5 x 6.1 x 5.1 m; single-hull; working depth of immersion 150 m; diesel engines (Hedemora-Pielstick PV / 12PAZ) 4 x 600 hp; electric generators 4 x 600 kW; e.d. (ASEA) 1 x 3000 hp; 4 AB; 1 shaft, 12/20 knots; one low-speed 5-blade large-diameter propeller; crew of 16 people (7 officers); autonomy 21 days. Armament: 4 - 533-mm bow torpedoes (ammunition load of 12 torpedoes of type 613 or instead of torpedoes 16 min), 2 - 400-mm bow torpedoes (6 PLO torpedoes of types 422 and 431); automatic system reloads all TAs in 30 seconds. REV: ASBU "Ericsson" IBS-A-17 (SESUB-90B), radar " Therma", GAK CSU-83 company " Atlas Elektronik". ASBU provides simultaneous tracking of 50 targets, in relation to 10 of them, data is automatically generated for the use of weapons. The system simultaneously and independently fires 12 wire torpedoes. These boats were built to replace the hopelessly outdated and completely worn out Abboren-class submarines. Swedish designers chose a fundamentally new (streamlined) hull shape and for the first time used the X-shaped arrangement of stern stabilizers and rudders, and the bow rudders were placed on the wheelhouse fence, shifted to the bow. Watertight bulkheads divide the robust hull into 5 compartments. It has two tiers in height. Compartment 1: Upper deck: CPU, crew quarters, wardroom. On the lower deck are TA, spare torpedoes, mechanisms of general ship systems. Compartment 2: at the top of the control posts, at the bottom of the AB group. Another AB group is located in the 3rd compartment, on its upper deck, non-commissioned officers' living quarters. Compartments 4 and 5 are occupied by power plants, auxiliary mechanisms, control posts, stern rudder drives. All five boats were modernized in 1984 - 1985. During it, a new BIUS and a new GAS were installed. In 1992 - 1994 on " Sjolejonet"And" Sjohunden"GAS and BIUS were changed again.
PLHMS« Sjobjornen » in the Singapore Navy received the name RSS "Challenger", and all boats of this type in the Singapore Navy began to be referred to as submarines of the "Challenger" type. RSS Challenger, having completed the overhaul and re-equipment for service in the tropics in September 1997, was in Sweden for several years to train new crews arriving from Singapore (due to increased automation of control processes, after modernization, the crew was reduced to 11 people). In 1997, 3 more submarines of the same class were purchased from Sweden - RSS "Centurion"(former HMS Sjolejonet),RSS "Chieftain"(former HMS Sjohunden) and RSS "Conquerors"(former HMS Sjoormen), which also underwent major repairs and re-equipment during 1997-2003. HMS Sjohasten was purchased for spare parts and was not part of the Singapore Navy.
RSS « Challengers »
H.M.S. Sjoormen" ( now - RSS "Centurion")
RSS "Chieftain"
RSS "Conquerors"
In 2005, the Singapore Navy acquired two submarines of the Swedish project A-17 of the Vastergotland type - RSS «Swordman» (HMS Vastergotland, 11/27/1987) and RSS "Archer" (HMS Halsingland, 10/20/1988). Before being handed over to Singapore, both ships were retrofitted according to the HMS Sodermanland type - with the installation of Stirling engines ( air independent propulsion system). In the Singapore Navy, this type of submarine began to be designated as the Archer type.
type " archer »
PLof this type were intended for the Baltic Sea and are a further development of the submarines of the Shoormen and Nacken types. They have a one-piece design. In the bow and stern extremities placed TsGB. The PC is assembled from 4 sections according to the modular principle. Living quarters (6 cabins) are located on the upper deck of the bow compartment. There is a rescue lock chamber, the outer hatch of which is equipped coaming platform for docking with a rescue bell or an underwater rescue apparatus. The submarine has an X-shaped stern empennage and cutting bow horizontal rudders. The rudders do not protrude beyond the dimensions of the hull and do not create restrictions when mooring or laying the boat on the ground. Submarine control is automatic or manual using the SAAB SCC-200 system. The operation of the power plant is controlled by the NDS-100 system. Compared to submarines of projects A-12 and A 14, the scope of measures to reduce the levels of physical fields of submarines has been increased, incl. from IR detection by devices and gas analyzers. In November 1999, Kockums was awarded a $75 million contract. Doll, for the modernization of two submarines of the Vastergotland type - Sodermanland and Ostergotland, providing, in particular, for the installation of an auxiliary air independent electric power plant "Stirling MKZ". TTX PL 1070/1143, 48.50-6-5.6, single-hull, operational immersion depth 300m, autonomy 45 days, crew 20 (5 officers) people, power plant - DEU with full electric propulsion, number x power of diesel generator 2 x 760 kW, 2 x 1080 ("Hedemora Pielstick" V12A / 15-UD VA-185). Full speed surface (11 knots), underwater (20 knots), number x caliber TA 6 x 533 and 3 x 400, ammunition 12 (533) and 6 (400), the number of mines taken instead of torpedoes - 12, the number of hinged mine containers x number min -2 x 24. Type ASBU Ericsson IPS-17TFCS (SESUB 900 A ), GAK type - "STN - Atlas Electronic" CSU-83.
RSS «Swordman»
RSS "Archer"
In December 2013, Singapore contracted two non-nuclear submarines of the new German project 218SG from the German concern ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS), the transfer of which to the customer is scheduled for 2020. In 2015, the French bulletin TTU, citing the Swedish press, reported that Singapore was to acquire two more non-nuclear submarines over the next two years through a tender. The new non-nuclear submarines are to replace four non-nuclear Challenger class submarines in the Singapore Navy.
Schematic diagram of a promising German non-nuclear submarine of project 216, which, it is believed, could form the basis of project 218SG