Singapore Navy Lays Keel for First Frigate

YourFather SG · 2002-12-12T11:44:46+00:00

According to Jane's,Thales Naval France is integrating the first Herakles 3D primary surveillance-and-control multifunction radar (MFR), believed to be for t...

YourFather SG

"The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) laid the keel for the first in a series of six frigates on 14 November 2002 in Lorient, France. Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Peter Ho officiated at the ceremony.

Under a contract signed with Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) in March 2000, the shipyard will be delivering six modern frigates to the RSN. These ships are intended to replace the six ageing Missile Gunboats (MGB) that have been in service for more than 25 years.

The first of the class is to be built in France while the remaining five ships will be constructed locally by Singapore Technologies Marine.

The Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA) is the overall programme manager and is also undertaking to integrate the combat systems and platform in this challenging programme. The first ship is expected to sail back to Singapore in 2005.

The frigates are built to be stealthy, using the latest ship design and building technology. The addition of the frigates to the RSN Fleet will expand the capabilities that the navy can employ in the defence of Singapore.

The keel laying ceremony marks another milestone in the strong bilateral defence ties between France and Singapore. The defence relationship between Singapore and France is an extensive one which includes regular dialogue at the policy level, professional interactions in bilateral and multilateral exercises, and defence technology collaboration. "

Ship Data:
--Length: 110 m
--Breadth: 16m
--Tonnage: 3200 tons
--Speed: more than 25 knots
--Range: 4000nm
--Heli Deck: Medium size helicopter

CX SG

its about bloody time... the MGBs no longer fulfills Sg's defence requirements.

its only natural that Sg should graduate to operating bigger vessels with more comprehensive capabilities.

helps remind "other people" not to mess with us too.

Mech^O^GATor SG

Comparing french La fayette frigate.Singapore version of the frigate has wider breadth.When singapore officially declared of its intention for 6 frigate its was specified that it will be 3000 tons but now the actual release is 3200 tons.Such increase might tell us what to expect from the frigates. Very Happy

NDU SG

bro.... i think our MGB still can 'TONG' lah.... compare to those kaya at north and south.... MGB still not that bad lah...
cheers Mr. Green

Joe Black SG

News from Mindef site:

SINGAPORE NAVY LAYS KEEL FOR FIRST FRIGATE

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Some personal observation:

1. The design is quite different from La Fayatte, but the principle of stealth design (ie. the superstructure is sloped at about 10 degree) has been applied. However, the design of this Delta frigate is not as "clean" as the original La Fayette and it will definitely produce higher RCS than the La Fayatte.

2. The frigate is armed with a Oto breda 76mm gun with a new stealth mounting.

3. The two triple torpedo tubes are fitted in the front just behind the VLS system.

4. Sixteen tube VLS (Aster 15 missiles) are fitted.

5. Two masts are present, the first mast on top of the main superstructure will carry some sort of advanced Air/Surface search radar - possible even some 3D phased array given the "flat" surfaces. Second mast most like will carry the navigation radar, radio antennas, and possible some ESM/ECM anntena. The SATCOMM white radar dome is mounted just behind the second mast.

6. The top of the helicophter hanger has some sort of mounting, possibly for CIWS type weapon.

7. Helicopter depicted in the computer generated graphics is either the NH-90 or EH-101 (more like the former given its size).

8. The main superstructure that contains the wheelhouse and the CIC are much lower than that of the orginal La Fayette design.

10. The weight quoted is just 300 tons lighter than as the original La Fayatte. I don't see how this Delta frigate will steam much faster than the La Fayattes if the same CODAD engines are used. RSN will have to really look for better and more powerful engines.

11. The frigates have stabliser fins fitted, as well as the sonar mounted on the middile rather than at the bow.

Given the quoted 3200 tons weight, and vast larger size and capabilities, these delta frigates are not going to "simply replace the MGBs". In fact, they are going to be introducing a totally new capability to the RSN, namely being able to, for the first time, engage multiple targets in multiple dimension, eg. engaging SSMs, enemy aircrafts while hunting for an enemy sub. In fact, a whole new doctrine will have to be written to integrate these frigates into the current RSN ORBAT.

It is more likely that RSN will use the MCVs to replace the role played by the MGBs while La Fayette will replace the MCVs role of being the main fighting ships. In all, RSN will be more all rounded to deal with multi-dimensional navy threats.

I also reckon that RSN should continue pursing the stealth OPV project that was put aside when they decided on the Delta frigates instead. A modified ST Marine 81m OPV with a combined La Fayette technology and possibly Swedish Visby technology will see the stealth OPV a real potent ships able to deal with any rouge MEKOs.
Smile

Mech^O^GATor SG

Yes as you said still can "Tong" but these Missile Gun Boats can no longer serve as singapore frontline defense vessal we need larger ship with larger platform to accommodate more sophisticated equipment and weaponry to counter future threat in this era where electronic warfare and stealth play a significant role.That is why RSN decided to introduce frigate.

Mech^O^GATor SG

My personal conclusion:

The main gun either The 5in (127mm) 62-caliber Mk 45 Mod 4 Gun System or Otobrada 127/54 Low Weight Gun Mount

Missile: 32 cells of Aster !5 missiles

Pls give your comments

Mech^O^GATor SG

The prototype of Otobreda's new 127mm/54-cal lightweight (127/54 LW) naval gun with a 'stealth'-optimised turret, mounted on the Italian Navy's Artigliere- (Lupo-) class frigate, Bersagliere, was on display in the Port Zayed element of IDEX.

Designed for surface warfare and naval gunfire support, with a secondary air-defence role, the new gun weighs 22 tons. This is about 15 tons lighter than the current Compatto design. As a result, it can be mounted on ships from corvette-size upwards.

According to Massimo Gualco of Otobreda's naval systems division, the weapon has "the highest rate-of-fire of any 5in [127mm] gun" on the market. Although company documentation quotes a maximum rate-of-fire of 40rds/min, 35 rds/min is the accepted normal rate.

The mount features a revolutionary new loading system with up to four 20-round ready-use feeding magazines, although the prototype has only two at present. These can be reloaded while the mount is in operation - considered an advantage during fire-support missions.

The whole ammunition feed has been reduced in volume and will fit on board narrow-beam ships. Gualco told JDU that with its compact lay-out, the whole gun system could be 'modularised' for mounting in multirole vessels, such as the Danish STANFLEX concept.

The gun is able to fire all available standard 127mm (5in) ammunition and would be compatible with the US Extended-Range Guided Munition (ERGM) round. Gualco also noted that a 62-calibre barrel was a future possibility, for use with extended-range ammunition natures.

This prototype weapon completed its land-based firing trials early last year and was installed and integrated on board the Bersagliere by November 2000. It is now undergoing a one-year operational evaluation with a view to replacing the existing Otobreda 127mm/54 Compatto on certain ships of the Italian Navy.

Mech^O^GATor SG

Sorrie additional The mast on top of the super structure could be heracles:
HERACLES
MULTIFONCTION 3D SURVEILLANCE AND FIRE CONTROL RADAR

"For self- defence, extended self- defence and the establishment of the medium- to long- range situation of vessels, Thales is developing the HERACLES multifunction radar. HERACLES is designed to equip frigates as the main radar and can be associated to all types of active or semiactive homing missiles. Establishment of the 3D air, jamming and surface situation, missile detection (SSM and ARM) and weapon deployment (missiles and guns) are performed simultaneously.

located on the front of the mast above
Very Happy SMART-S
SMART-S is a proven, 3D multibeam medium-to-long range surveillance and target indication radar operating in F-band. It provides timely and simultaneous warning of all potential threats presented by air targets and surface ships. Within one scan and within an elevation coverage from 0° to 90°, the radar performs automatic detection, initiation and tracking of air targets up to a range of 120 km. SMART-S provides fast and accurate target indication data to the Combat Management Systems and two Surface Fire Control Channels to counter surface threats.

Anza Andy SG

Which anit-ship misslie it use?

Joe Black SG

Exocet MM40 Block2(???)

Anza Andy SG

[quote]Originally posted by Joe Black:

Exocet MM40 Block2(???)[/q

Is that better than the present missile?

Mech^O^GATor SG

Originally posted by Anza Andy:
[quote]Originally posted by Joe Black:
[b]

Exocet MM40 Block2(???)[/q

Is that better than the present missile?[/b]

There could be significant changes to future anti-ship missile procurement recently EU & the US has been developing new generation missile.Which has extended range and speed.For the US Harpoon blk 2 , most prominently the EU nation they have been developing sea scalp and the exocet block 3:
The Exocet MM40 block 3 is in full-scale development and will meet the changing needs of navies worldwide as the focus of naval operations moves from former Cold War open-ocean warfare to the littoral arena.
Compatible with existing Exocet MM40 launchers and logistic support infrastructure assets, the new Exocet MM40 Block 3 missile can be easily retrofitted to in-service surface ships and meets evolving naval requirements for vertical launch.

Definition studies and equipment design are already well advanced and the airframe, which has been optimised to minimise the missiles EM and IR signatures and provide for greater lateral acceleration and high g evasive manoeuvres, has also undergone successful wind tunnel tests. Successful testing of the propulsion system has also been carried out. The new turbojet engine combined with a single jettisoned rocket booster at launch provides the operational flexibility to engage a wide spectrum of targets.Mission planning software to assist with operational engagement planning and a new navigation package provide an improved capability to penetrate targets such as anti-missile defence systems. The Exocet Block 3 can, for instance, navigate its way to the target by means of 3D approach trajectories with terminal attacks from different azimuths at very low sea-skimming altitude. Terminal guidance relies on a state-of-the-art, ECM resistant J-Band active seeker with adaptive search patterns which discriminates and selects targets at sea and GPS-designated land-based targets.
Maximum range: in excess of 180 km
Speed: High-subsonic
Trajectory: Sea-skimming

It will be developed in year 2006 , 1 year after the delivery of the first frigate.Such development could means that Exocet block 2 might not be part of the frigate weaponry instead a harpoon block 2 will be more practical choice we could mean while take advantage of the latest anti-ship technology as we wait for exocet blk 3 development

Joe Black SG

More interesting comparison about Singapore's Delta/La Fayette Frigate characteristics....

1.
Length: 110 m, Breadth: 16m, Displacement: 3200 tons, Speed: more than 25 knots, Range: 4000nm.

La Fayatte:
Length, overall: 125 m, Displacement (standard):3,500 tons
Speed (CODAD propulsion): 25 kts Range (at 12 kts)
9,000 nm.
Source: DCN Site http://www.dcnintl.com/fiches/fich02b.htm

Saudi's Sawari II La Fayettes have a displacement of 4,500 tons, overall length of 133 metres and a beam of 17 metres.

source: DCN Site http://www.dcnintl.com/htdocs/fraset05.htm

Taiwanese kang Ding displaces 3,500t fully loaded, and has dimensions of 125m x 15.4m x 4m. With a maximum speed of 25 knots, it has a range of 7,000 nautical miles at 15 knots.
Source: Naval-Technology http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/fayette/index.html

Verdict:
1. RSN La Fayette is built slightly shorter (about 15m shorter than standard La Fayette while the Saudi's version is 8m longer).

2. RSN La Fayette is slightly broader than Taiwanese La Fayette which I believe is built to standard La Fayette size. Yet again, the Saudi's version is 1 m broader.

3. RSN La Fayette seems to have a lower quoted range, which I nelieve may not necessary be a true figure, just like they initially quote the MCVs only to have "Excess 30 knts" and they ended having 35 knts. A great different. Although RSN version is somewhat shorter by 15m, I think the drop in range could be in the manitude of 1,000 to at most 2,000 mn and NOT 3,000mn as quoted.

4. RSN La Fayette frigates design has departed from the original "clean and smooth" surface. There are too many "breaklines" for my liking. The original La Fayette are a lot smooth on their side. All weapon systems (apart from the temporary Crotale missile launcher, which was to be replaced by VLS Aster SAM) are hidden inside the superstructure or behind the barrier/boundary/wall - whatever you call that. In fact, ST Marine's 81 OPV design look more like the son-of-La Fayette than the Delta frigates.

compare this with the image of the RSN Delta frigate above.... and the original La Fayette...

Mech^O^GATor SG

Say ! that stealth opv is "done" by singapore technologies.This ship is absolutely no part of delta frigate project.The one you post earlier on is the one..you should know better right ! Very Happy

Mech^O^GATor SG

Say ! that stealth opv is "done" by singapore technologies.This ship is absolutely no part of delta frigate project.The one you post earlier on is the one..you should know better right ! Very Happy

Joe Black SG

The first computer generated model if the actual Delta frigate. The second photo is a picture of the ST Marine 81m Stealth OPV model. The third picture is actually the standard French La Fayette frigate. I am saying that from the CGI of the Delta frigate and the photo of the ST Marine 81m OPV, I think the OPV looks more like the "son-of-La Fayette" in terms of the design than the Delta Frigate because the design departed from a few original La Fayette features including a higher Superstructure and absolutely clean and flat side surfaces on both the port and starboard side.

The ST Marine 81m OPV looks like having this stealth design feature, but the delta frigate have more "break" surfaces, eg. the helo hanger, the raised platform for the triple torpedo tubes and the fence around the VLS system. However, I have to say that for most part of the side surfaces, they are pretty flat and angled at about 10 degree like the original La Fayette. I also presume that the radar absorbing paint and material are used on the surfaces to reduce RCS.

In addition, I think after the ST Marine has successfully built the first 2 Delta frigates, RSN should consider ordering 6 of the 81m OPVs too (possible with the even greater emphasis on stealth) with the help of both DCN and Kockum.

Gun SG

From Mindef site

Zoom-in

Mindef statment

Mech^O^GATor SG

Oop Surprised Sorrie i think read the main sentence my apology No hard feeling.... Very Happy
Would anyone like to guess/analyst the systems on the frigate

MinisterOfDefence SG

overall...most of the equipments to be installed onboard are still unknown right?
i've read sumwhere rsn maybe using subsonic missiles..mebbe polyphem?
or mantra's aerospatiale missiles?
do enlighten me Wink