You even know what a “Flagship” is? It is a command center, not
a ship class. Even a well equipped sampan can be a “flagship”. As
it is, our frigates are already configured as command centers, so
they are our “flagships”.
Singapore may be surrounded by water, but as ditzy said, most of
it isn’t ours and we don’t have the manpower for bigger ships. You
do know that our Navy is already working on 50% manpower compared
to other countries? Other countries frigate manpower is ~150,
Singapore has to work with 71 men. Our “biggest” ship already on
half manpower and you want bigger?
This also runs into the Apache choice, a Squadron of 12 aircraft
need only about 40 men to fly and maintain, much less than a ship
and there is a specific threat for it to counter, as our dear
neighbours have recently gotten MBTs.
