It's a damn fantastic Ship Class and I have been very impressed
by the Ship capabilities from the day it was launched in 2000. Why
isn't anyone knows about the Endurance class LPDs except us in
SG.
Imagine with the Introduction of this LPDs, It has given SAF a
whole new orbat and It takes a few capable ones to deeply fathom
what it is.
Endurance Class
LPDs
The Endurance class LPDs are 40% larger and yet travels almost
twice as fast as its predecessor. Each ship is fitted with a well
dock which can accommodate four landing crafts, as well as a flight
deck and hangar which can accommodate two medium lift helicopters (
4 helis during active operations ). Super Pumas, Apaches and
Chinooks had been certified to operate from the flight deck.
While the RSN describes the Endurance class as LSTs, they lack the
beaching capability traditionally associated with LSTs and their
well docks and flight decks qualify the Endurance class more as
amphibious transport docks. The term "multipurpose support vessel"
is closer to the intent of its use.
The Endurance class was built with a heavy emphasis on automation.
The integrated bridge system allows the operator to access the
navigation and communications systems, the ECDIS and other vital
systems needed to sail the ship effectively, while the Ship
Control, Monitoring and Management System controls, monitors and
manages most of the platforms onboard. The ships are also equipped
with a Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse system which
helps in landing, securing, manoeuvring and traversing a
helicopter, and eliminates the need for deck personnel to secure
helicopters upon landing. All these result in a high degree of
automation, with a reduced manning requirement of 65 crew members
for a 6000-tonne ship. Each LPD can also carry 350 troops, 18
armoured vehicles ( tanks ) and 30 'B' Vehicles (1080tons).
The Endurance class are armed with 2 20mm Typhoon Naval Optronic
Stabilized Weapon Platforms, 4 .50Cal HMGs, 16cell Barak 2 Anti
Air/Anti Missile system and a 76mm Super rapid Gun. It is rumored
that in the future, the LPDs will be armed with NAVLAR Area
saturation rockets system.
The ships are active participants in multinational peacekeeping
efforts. As part of Singapores contribution to the reconstruction
efforts in Iraq, RSS Endurance was sent to the Persian Gulf in
October 2003 for two months. RSS Resolution followed in November
2004 and RSS Endeavour in February 2006. The ships conducted
logistical tasks, such as replenishing supplies for other naval
vessels in the Persian Gulf, and conducted patrols to enforce
maritime presence. They also served as a platform for helicopter
missions and maritime boarding operations missions by teams from
other coalition countries when they inspected ships leaving Iraq.
The last deployment saw the RSS Resolution taking on the expanded
role of taking charge of coalition and Iraqi Navy ships to defend
Iraq's oil platforms. On 1 September 2007, RSS Persistence became
the fourth ship to be deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of
the multinational reconstruction efforts in Iraq.
SPARTAN was operationaly deployed for the first time by the
Singapore Navy in the Persian Gulf on anti-terror and security
operations along the Iraqi coast. In this case, an unmanned (but
armed) USV is greatly preferred to a manned vessel in checking on
suspicious-looking dhows and what-not, especially as there was a
possibility that they were sucide craft like the one that hit the
Cole of Yemen. And the Spartans used by the RSN were deployed from
Endurance class LPDs, which not only had the capacity to remain on
station for weeks at a time, but also carried the proper weapons
(.50 calibre HMGs, 20mm cannons, armed Super Puma helios and naval
commandos) to deal with small craft threats.
The ships were also involved in various humanitarian relief
operations, such as the tsunami-hit Indonesian province of Aceh in
2004. Within a few days of the disaster, the RSS Endurance sailed
to Aceh in Indonesia to deliver emergency supplies and medical
personnel to aid in the relief efforts. She was then joined by RSS
Persistence on 4 January 2005 and RSS Endeavour on 16 January. The
LPDs relief deployment raised alot of eyebrows of our neighbours
b'coz of its fast response.
My Comment :
Just let your imagination run wild, a battle group consisting of 2
LPDs, one a command ship, the other in support role, each with 2
Super Pumas and 2 Apaches, supported by 3 Endurance Class Frigates
and their S70B Naval Helicopters. and protected further by 2
Submarines. One based in Singapore Straits/South China Sea and the
other at the Strait of Malacca/Indian Ocean.
Or in the case of Amphibious operations, each battle group carrying
one Guards Battalion, 36 Tanks and 60 Vehicles. Just Imagine.
