Speaking at the ceremony, Mr Heng highlighted the importance of a strong and capable RSN to safeguard Singapore’s sovereignty. He said, “The navy is every maritime nation’s first line of defence. A strong RSN is key to protecting our maritime sovereignty, and keeping our Sea Lines of Communication open. Singapore’s maritime agencies work together 24/7 to monitor threats. The RSN augments this by conducting patrols around the clock – tirelessly – to keep our waters safe and secure. We do this to protect Singapore, Singaporeans, and our Singaporean way of life.”
The launch of Fearless is a significant milestone in the RSN’s continued transformation to enable it to continue safeguarding the sovereignty and security of Singapore’s waters. The LMV programme is progressing well. Since 2017, five LMVs – RSS Independence, RSS Sovereignty, RSS Unity, RSS Justice and RSS Indomitable – have been commissioned. They have rapidly assumed and effectively executed operational duties, including the DPRK-US Singapore Summit and daily maritime security patrols, and have participated in exercises such as the ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise and Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise. LMVs Fortitude and Dauntless, launched in 2018, are undergoing sea trials and will be commissioned later this year. All eight LMVs will be fully operational by 2020.
ST Engineering was awarded the contract by MINDEF in 2013 to design and build eight LMVs for the RSN. The fleet of eight LMVs will replace the Fearless-Class Patrol Vessels, also designed and built by the Group in the 1990s.
Designed and built locally, the LMVs pushed the boundaries of engineering and design to deliver a more capable, faster, and mission-flexible ship with better seakeeping and endurance. The LMVs are equipped with smarter technology and sharper capabilities to enable the RSN to operate more efficiently and effectively, while being manned by a leaner crew. This is made possible through the harnessing of technology, streamlining of work processes, and rethinking operating concepts. An example is the co-location of the Bridge, Combat Information Centre and Machinery Control Room at the Integrated Command Centre (ICC). The ICC integrates and synergises the management of navigation, engineering, and combat functions to achieve greater operational effectiveness for maritime security operations.
Beyond the physical hardware, the effectiveness of a ship lies in the proficiency of its people. The LMV is manned by a crew of 23, all of whom undertake multiple roles on board the ship. To build proficient crews, training is tiered at the individual, team and ship level, supported by simulators and emulators. This approach delivers the highest outcomes for personal proficiency and team excellence, so as to be ready for the full spectrum of mission sets at sea.
Ship Specifications
Length 80 metres
Beam 12 metres
Draught 3 metres
Displacement 1,250 tonnes
Speed in excess of 27 knots
Endurance 3,500 nautical miles (up to 14 days)
Crew Complement 23 sailors
Weapons Systems
– MBDA MICA Anti-Air / Anti-Missile Missile System
– Oto Melara 76mm Gun
– Rafael 25mm Typhoon Gun
– Oto Melara 12.7mm Hitrole Gun
– Remote Control Long Range Acoustic Device and Xenon Light
– Water Cannon System
Sensors Systems
– Thales NS100 3D Surveillance Radar
– Kelvin Hughes Sharpeye Navigation Radar
– STELOP 360 o All-Round Surveillance System
– STELOP Compass D Electo-Optic Director
