Naval Group press release
Through this contract signed with ST Engineering Marine Ltd, Naval Group is proud to continue its cooperation with our partner, to serve the Singapore Navy.
Naval Group has a deep understanding of the Formidable frigates, as the Group has built the first vessel in the Formidable-class series on the Lorient shipyard in France. The other five were built locally by the ST Engineering shipyard, in accordance with the major transfer of technology agreement, a testimony of the strong partnership between the two companies. To achieve this project, Naval Group will work closely with Naval Group Far East, its subsidiary in Singapore who is already supporting the Singaporean Navy and ST Engineering in project management, maintenance and supply chain.
-End-
Naval News comments:
ST Engineering announced on 14 December 2023 that its subsidiary ST Engineering Marine Ltd. has secured a contract with the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) for the mid-life upgrade of its Formidable-class Frigates for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).
ST Engineering will undertake the design and engineering of the Frigate’s marine and electrical systems’ upgrades, including the Ship Management System and Power Generation System. The Frigates will be upgraded progressively, with the first Frigate expected to complete its upgrades from 2028.
Details about the scope of the modernization are confidential. However, Naval News understands that once upgraded, the Formidable-class frigates could see some level of commonality with the future MRCV in terms of sensor and weapon systems, such as the Blue Spear anti-ship missiles.
Talking to Naval News during a tour aboard a French LaFayette (FLF) frigate being upgraded (as part of an MLU program) by Naval News, a company representative said: “it may be interesting to note some links between this [Formidable class] MLU program and the FLF modernization program: a meeting and visit to the FLF supervised by its Commander accompanied by his senior officers and the Defense Mission in Singapore (Armament Attaché ) was the occasion for an exchange between Singaporean stakeholders regarding the FLF modernization program in Toulon in March 2023”.
