Fearless-class patrol vessel
 RSS Dauntless, during the bilateral exercise MILAN 2018 with the Indian Navy
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name | Fearless class |
| Builders |
|
| Operators | |
| Preceded by | Swift class |
| Succeeded by | Independence class |
| Subclasses |
|
| Built | 1995–1998 |
| In commission | 1998–2020 |
| Completed | 12 |
| Lost | 1 |
| Retired | 11 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Patrol vessel |
| Displacement | 500 t (490 long 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 |
|
| Electronic warfare & decoys | |
| Armament |
|
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.
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 was expected to be delivered in 2016 and all eight vessels would be fully operational by 2020.[1][2]
History
The Fearless-class patrol vessels were ordered as replacements for the earlier Swift-class coastal patrol craft 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, two vessels MSRV Sentinel and MSRV Guardian entered operational service as part of the four-ship Sentinel-class maritime security and response vessels (MSRV). The four 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 two, 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]
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 UAE Navy.[10]
Ships of class
| Name | Pennant Number | Launched | Commissioned | Decommissioned | Remarks |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| RSS Fearless | 94 | 18 February 1995 | 5 October 1996 | 27 August 2019[11] | |
| RSS Brave | 95 | 9 September 1995 | 5 October 1996 | 27 August 2019[11] | |
| RSS Courageous | 96 | 9 September 1995 | 5 October 1996 | -N.A.- | Stricken May 2003 |
| RSS Gallant | 97 | 27 April 1996 | 3 May 1997 | 11 December 2020[12] | |
| RSS Daring | 98 | 27 April 1996 | 3 May 1997 | 19 July 2018[13] | |
| RSS Dauntless | 99 | 23 November 1996 | 3 May 1997 | 27 August 2019[11] | Current MSRV Guardian |
| RSS Resilience | 82 | 23 November 1996 | 7 February 1998 | 19 July 2018[13] | |
| RSS Unity | 83 | 19 July 1997 | 7 February 1998 | 3 October 2017[14] | |
| RSS Sovereignty | 84 | 19 July 1997 | 7 February 1998 | 3 October 2017[14] | |
| RSS Justice | 85 | 18 October 1997 | 22 August 1998 | 3 October 2017[14] | |
| RSS Freedom | 86 | 18 October 1997 | 22 August 1998 | 11 December 2020[12] | |
| RSS Independence | 87 | 19 April 1998 | 22 August 1998 | 8 March 2017[15] |
Notes
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "One dead in naval collision". BBC News. 4 January 2003. Archived from the original on 1 April 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
- ^ Saunders, Stephen (2008–2009). Jane's Fighting Ships (111 ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2845-9.
- ^ "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.
- ^ "ST Engineering Secures PVs Contract". navaltoday.com. 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
- ^ "Factsheet - New Maritime Security and Response Flotilla to Enhance Maritime Security". Ministry of Defence of Singapore (MINDEF). 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
- ^ "ST Engineering Secures International Defence Contract for Falaj 3-Class Offshore Patrol Vessels for UAE Navy". ST Engineering. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link) - ^ a b c "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.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b "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.
- ^ a b c "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.
- ^ "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.
