The final two of a fleet of six stealth frigates, RSS Stalwart and RSS Supreme, were
commissioned at the Changi Naval Base today, according to a media
statement.
With all six frigates brought into service, the Republic of
Singapore Navy’s (RSN) Formidable-class Frigate Squadron is fully
operational.
Officiating at the commissioning ceremony, Minister for Defence
Teo Chee Hean said, “The frigates, with their longer range and
reach, will significantly increase the RSN’s
ability to protect our Sea Lines of Communication. This is a
critical mission as the lion’s share of Singapore’s trade is
conducted by sea.”
“Recently, there has been a surge in the frequency of piracy
attacks in the Gulf of Aden and the coast off Somalia. More than
100 ships have been attacked in the past year. The Gulf of Aden is
a vital waterway for ships transiting the Red Sea and Suez Canal
connecting Asia and Europe. These pirates prey on the global
trading system and have raked in an estimated US$120 million
dollars in ransom money,” Minister Teo added.
Singapore is situated at the key international sea routes of the
Straits of Malacca and Singapore, which link the Indian and Pacific
Oceans. Threats to the freedom of navigation ? whether they come
from pirates or terrorists ? will have an adverse impact on the
economy and on regional peace and stability.
The stealth frigates’ state-of-the-art combat capabilities and
systems will therefore enhance the RSN’s
ability to protect Singapore’s Sea Lines of Communication and boost
the RSN’s capability to integrate its
operations with the Army and Air Force.
The full potential of the frigates however will only be realised
when the Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters are fully integrated
later this year.
The helicopter crews have been training in San Diego,
California, since November 2007. And in the second half of this
year, RSS Stalwart will be deployed to San
Diego for six months to undergo integration training with the
helicopters.
These naval helicopters will extend the range over which the
frigates can conduct anti-surface and anti-submarine
operations.
So much fire power to fight pirates?
