NDPfreak, technically battleships don't exist anymore. The last
one was USS Missouri, decommissioned in 1992 (you can visit it at
Pearl Harbor).
Singapore, including RSN is VERY well-armed for its
size. Only 9 countries operate aircraft carriers (not
helicopter carriers) of some sort - US, Russia, Brazil,
Spain, UK, France, Italy, India and Thailand. Ignoring Thailand
(because their aircraft carrier is almost never used), the poorest
of these 9 countries operating carriers, India, has a GDP that
is ~7 times ours [India's GDP is US$1,098 billion, S'pore's GDP of
$161 billion, source: IMF figures for 2007). Even a country like
Australia, with GDP >5 times ours gave up their aircraft
carriers over a decade ago. S. Korea, with 6 times our GDP has only
LPDs.
Aside from S'pore not needing this type of long distance force
projection, carriers require a task force to protect and supply
ships to replenish/refuel ($$$) and in order to ensure having an
operational carrier at any moment, you actually need more than one
carrier, because the ship needs maintenance/upgrades/retrofit (or
else you enemy can attack you when your ship is the dock). I think
everyone can see in the case of Thailand, their carrier, HTMS
Chakri Naruebet is pretty much a white elephant. Let's not repeat
their mistake.
HTMS Chaukri Narubert is not an aircraft carrier. It is
classified as an offshore patrol helicopter carrier. http://www.naval-technology.com/projects/chakrinaruebet/.
However, while I agree that RSN lacks the
manpower to operate a supercarrier and there is no need
for it to operate one, operating a helicopter carrier would be
ideal. A 20000 ton vessel which can accomodate 10++
attack helicopters or a few VTOL aircrafts and support an
amphibious task force will allow RSN to do limited force
projection. Currently the 4 Endurance LSTs more or
less fulfil this role though but it will be good to have
a helicopter carrier. Can also serve as the flagship of RSN.
No battleships fantasy, NDPfreak!! Aircraft carriers have
replaced battleships as the capital ships in modern naval
warfare!
