The navy of the Republic of Singapore (RSN) is one of South East
Asia's most interesting and dynamic. From humble beginnings
following independence in 1963, the RSN has grown to a position of
control over one of the world's most important waterways. Today,
the RSN is capable of exerting 'Sea Control' over their area of
immediate interest and sea denial much further away. With the
introduction into Singaporean service of four ex-Swedish Navy
submarines and the addition of new stealth frigates on order from
France the RSN will soon be in a position to exert 'Sea Dominance'
on, over and under the waters surrounding the Singapore Strait.
Such is the mix of capabilities that the RSN is integrating that,
with the exception of the Japanese Maritime Self Defence Force with
their Aegis destroyers and fleets of modern destroyers and
submarines, and the overwhelming firepower of the United States
Navy, the RSN is on track to become the most powerful navy in the
region. The RSN of Today
Today's RSN is based around a core of missile armed fast patrol
boats and corvettes. These vessels are ideal for operations in and
around the intensely crowded littoral waters of the Singapore and
Malacca Straits. Small, fast and easily able to disappear amongst
the numerous islands, ferries, fishing boats and merchant ships
that ply these waters, they are also possessed of potency far
outweighing their size. The largest and most capable of Singapore's
fleet are the six Victory class corvettes. Displacing 600 tonnes,
they are armed with up to eight Harpoon anti-ship missiles, each
with range of 130kms and more than capable of seriously damaging a
frigate-sized opponent. A recent upgrade to these corvettes has
seen a substantial improvement in their self-defence capabilities,
with the addition twin vertical launch octuple Barak surface to air
missile launchers to augment the single 76-mm dual-purpose Super
Rapid gun and passive defence measures.
The Israeli Barak is designed to be a relatively low-cost point
defence missile system to protect ships against both manned
aircraft and anti-ship missiles and consequently has a quick
reaction time, typically 3 seconds including 0.6 seconds to turn
over. The fire-control system is based upon the Elta EL/M-2221GM
I/J- and K-band (X-Ka band) monopulse coherent tracking and
illumination radar which is supplemented, on the right-hand side,
by a Rafael thermal imager. It features a dish antenna with an
elevation of -25 to +85º. Search, acquisition and tracking may be
conducted in either I/J (8 to 20 GHz) or K (20 to 40 GHz) bands and
it can track the target or targets while controlling two missiles.
The system may also be used for controlling guns, possibly with the
assistance of a separate ballistic computer. Upon acquisition of
the target/targets by the ship's search radar, the fire-control
radar designates the targets.
The system automatically calculates the level of threat from each
target, allocates a missile or missiles and automatically launches
them. In the anti-ship missile role the Barak leaves the launcher
and is turned over towards the target by the thrust vector control
system at the base of the missile which is automatically discarded,
presumably by explosive bolts, upon completion of launch. The
missile is acquired and controlled by the fire-control radar which
then guides it towards the target. The missile is capable of
engaging targets 2 m above the sea and can manoeuvre at 25 g. It
travels at Mach 2 and has a range of 12kms.
The Victory class are also fitted with two triple 324mm ASW
(Anti-Submarine Warfare) torpedo tubes for six Italian Whitehead A
244s anti-submarine active/passive homing torpedos with a range of
7kms.
Backing up the Victory class are six 260 tonne Sea Wolf
Harpoon/Gabriel I armed missile attack craft, and 12 500 tonne
Fearless patrol craft, half of which are fitted out for ASW
operations. The Sea Wolf are armed with four Harpoon ASMs and four
Israeli Gabriel I ASMs with a range of 20km at Mach .7 and guided
by either optical or radar guidance (semi-active homing). The Sea
Wolf and Fearless are also fitted with the Matra Simbad twin
launcher for Mistral IR anti-aircraft missiles, which have a range
of 4kms.
The Fearless class are fitted with a 76mm super rapid gun which can
fire 120 rpm to 16kms. As mentioned, half of the class are also
fitted for ASW operations and employ a Thomson Sintra TSM 2362
Gudgeon hull-mounted active attack medium frequency sonar. Two of
the ships is also fitted with a towed sonar array. The ASW ships
have two triple 324mm torpedo tubes for the Italian Whitehead A244s
active/passive torpedo.
Operating close to their bases, and under friendly air cover, these
vessels could use Singapore's crowded waters to full advantage,
mingling with neutral traffic and darting out to deliver missile
attacks against their targets or to search and destroy transiting
submarines. They would have the 'Home Ground' advantage of airborne
and shore based radar surveillance. Realistic exercises that
emphasise these tactics regularly feature in the RSN's training
schedule.
Taken together with the Republic's Grumman E-2 Hawkeye AEW&C
(Airborne Early Warning & Control) aircraft, and A-4 Skyhawk
and F-16 Falcon attack aircraft, these surface assets have the
capability to render the waters in and surrounding the Singapore
Strait extremely dangerous to opponents. These however are not the
only forces that an aggressive maritime force would have to deal
with, for further danger lurks beneath the waves.
Singapore took the decision to acquire a submarine force in the
early 1990's, with the acquisition announced in 1995 of the first
one, then four submarines of the Sjoormen class. All had seen
service with the Royal Swedish Navy in the shallow and cold waters
of the Baltic. These submarines, 25 years old at the time, were to
be decommissioned as part of reductions in the Swedish submarine
service. Singapore evaluated them and found them to be excellent
entry level technology into submarine operations. Their design,
optimised for shallow water operations in the Baltic, is ideally
suited for operations in the waters of the Singapore Strait and the
surrounding region. However, the water temperature is much higher
in the tropics meaning more corrosion and a loss of underwater
endurance due to battery overheating.
Following extensive reconditioning, which involved the replacement
of most of the submarines pipping, wiring and the fitting of air
conditioning, two of the four boats are now in operation in
Singapore, with the remaining two completing crew-training duties
in the Baltic and due to arrive in Singapore in 2003. The
submarines are armed with four 533mm bow tubes and carry up to 10
FFV 613 anti-surface wire guided passive homing torpedos with a
range of 15kms at 45kts using a 250kg warhead. The subs also have
two 400mm torpedo tubes for four FFV Type 431 anti-submarine
active/passive wire guided torpedoes with a range of 20kms at 25kts
and using a 45kg shaped charge warhead, or an equivalent war load
of mines. The four boats are named CHALLENGER, CENTURION, CONQUEROR
and CHIEFTAIN are a potent weapon in the republic's maritime
arsenal. Despite their age, they are quiet, manoeuvrable and will
be extraordinarily hard to detect in the notoriously difficult
anti-submarine environment of the tropics, where shallow water,
noisy acoustic environment, varying salinity and complex
temperature gradients combine to work to the submarine's advantage.
Even the most capable anti-submarine force will struggle to locate
the Challenger class subs in these difficult waters.
The RSN is aware that a mining campaign conducted in the waters of
the Singapore and Malacca Straits could have a devastating impact
on both the economy of the island state, and on the RSN's
movements. To this end they have commissioned four Swedish designed
Landsort class minehunters. The first, BEDOK (which the class was
also named), was built in Sweden with the last three being built in
Singapore. While not sufficient to keep the entire Singapore Strait
clear of mines, they are sufficient to ensure RSN access to their
operating areas. The RSN has rightly concluded that any
indiscriminate mining campaign in the Strait's would endanger the
traffic of so many nations that an international anti-mining
operation would commence to sweep the waters clean and ensure
continued access by shipping.
The mine hunter force is equipped to deal with the most modern
mines, being equipped with high definition sonars, remotely
operated mine disposal vehicles, and facilities to support teams of
divers. The Bedok class is also fitted to lay mines if
necessary.
To support Singapore's claims to some of the outlying islands, the
RSN operates an amphibious force comprising one ex-Royal Navy
Landing Ship Logistic and four Endurance class LST (Landing Ship
Tank). Commissioned into RSN service as PERSEVERANCE in 1994 the
former Falklands War veteran SIR LANCELOT can lift a maximum of 560
troops and 16 MBTs (Main Battle Tanks), and has two platforms for
operating helicopters. While PERSEVERANCE can deliver her cargo by
beaching and unloading via bow doors, this is rarely carried out in
practice.
The four Endurance class LST's were designed and built in
Singapore, and provide a useful capability with each capable of
lifting 350 troops, 18 MBT's and 20 other vehicles. These can be
delivered through four small landing craft carried in davits, four
larger landing craft in the ship's well dock or via the two
embarked Puma helicopters. Bow and stern doors are also fitted
which allows a mate up with the RSN's larger landing craft for
transport of vehicles to the shore. It has a well dock which can
flood down to enable landing craft to drive in and out of the ship.
The acquisition of these four vessels gives the RSN the capability
to land and support troops on any of the numerous islands which
surround Singapore's territorial waters, or which control the
entrance to the Singapore Strait. In fact one of the Endurance
class completed the RSN's first circumnavigation of the globe, in
2000. However, one must really question why a small island nation
needs four very large amphibious assault ships at all when
helicopters can transport troops around its territory with ease?
Some have speculated that the ships are there to protect
Singaporean interests either up the Malay peninsular or further
from home.
All in all, the RSN has developed into a capable navy, emerging
from its brown-water status to a green-water force, capable of
controlling its direct area of operational interest, which just
happens to be one of the most busy and influential waterways in the
world. In the years to come, the RSN will extend this
capability.
The RSN of Tomorrow
For many years it has been apparent that the RSN was seeking a
larger more capable vessel to supplement their current fleet of
attack craft and corvettes. Most observers expected a larger
OPV/corvette design of between 1000 and 1500 tonnes, probably
incorporating some measure of stealth technology. In fact Singapore
stunned the naval world with the announcement that it would buy six
La Fayette-derived stealth frigates from France.
Displacing more than 3200 tonnes, the Singaporean, or Delta version
of the popular frigates will be armed with a OTO Melera 76-mm super
rapid gun, and a mix of anti-aircraft and anti-ship missiles. While
exact armaments are still uncertain, it is known that they will be
armed with the European anti-aircraft ASTER missile system. The
first ship of this class will be completed in France and arrive in
Singapore in 2005, while ships 2 and 3 will commence construction
at the same time in Singapore. All are scheduled to be in service
by 2009.
With the capability to operate a medium sized helicopter for over
the horizon surveillance and targeting, far superior sea keeping
capabilities than their predecessors and a reduced IR, acoustic and
electronic signature, the six frigates will dramatically bolster
the Republic's Navy.
Recent announcements of the features of the six frigates reveals
that the 110 metre frigates differ in a number of ways from the
base line La Fayette class, as operated by France, Taiwan and Saudi
Arabia.
The hull design is in most respects similar to the current La
Fayette hull design, but the superstructure is substantially
different. The superstructure has been reduced and incorporates
further shaping to reduce the radar signature of the ship, relative
to the baseline ships. Part of the change will have been driven by
the RSN's choice of weapons and sensors, and others by growing
experience in the art of radar reduction.
The ships will be highly automated and have a crew of only 60. An
as yet the Singaporeans have not specified an anti-ship missile but
may possibly retain Harpoon to maintain commonality with the rest
of the fleet. To support over the horizon and terminal guidance for
the anti-ship missiles, the frigates will be equipped to operate a
Cougar/Seahawk/NH-90 sized helicopter. Depending on its fit out,
this helicopter could also be capable of deploying anti-submarine
sensors and weapons, in concert with the frigates own low-frequency
towed sonar array.
The ships will also be fitted with a comprehensive combat system
and secure communications to enable it to coordinate the operations
of the RSN's missile corvettes and fast attack craft.
Much of the design of the frigate suggests that it may also be
destined for "out of area" operations, away from the Singapore and
Malacca Straits. In particular the fitting of a EDO low frequency
towed sonar array, which would be difficult to operate in the
shallow waters of the Strait, but which would be useful for
supporting the escort of other ships in the open ocean.
Far surpassing Malaysia's Lekiu frigates, and emphasising the
obsolescence of much of the Indonesian, Philippines and Thai
navies, it will be interesting to see what responses the other
ASEAN navies will announce to try and match the RSN's new frigates.
A mini-arms race may develop, as each tries to counter the others
capabilities.
The operations of the Challenger class submarines have brought home
the many capabilities that an efficient submarine force can offer.
Covert surveillance, anti-shipping strikes, special operations and
mine-laying operations are just a few of the capabilities available
to the RSN, despite the limitations of the boats due to their
age.
The Challenger class are all more than 25 years old, and it has
always been Singaporean policy that these boats were to develop the
required submarine operations expertise before selecting a modern
class of submarines to replace them. The most likely candidates are
the German U 212 class, the New Viking class of submarines being
designed for the Swedish and Norwegian navies, and the
French/Spanish Scorpene class. All are small, manoeuvrable and fast
for conventional submarines. Fitted with a modern command and
control systems, and state of the art sensors and weapons, they
would be potent additions to the RSN's arsenal. While use of the
Challenger class submarines may provide the Swedes with a small
lead in the choice of a new submarine, the French have considerable
expertise in foreign sales, and it must not be forgotten that more
German submarines have been built and operated by more navies
worldwide than any other nations.
A timeframe for the selection and construction of the new
submarines has not been announced however, the age of the
Challenger class will to some extent force the RSN's hand. Most
likely an announcement of the search for a replacement will be made
within the next 12 months, and a decision within two years after
that, by which time the youngest of the Challenger class will be
approaching 30 years in service.
The acquisition of the Challenger class, and the expected
announcement of their replacements has already stirred other South
East Asian states to consider the acquisition of submarine arms
(Thailand), or the revitalisation of their currently moribund sub
forces (Indonesia), to match the Singaporean capability. Malaysia
has already announced the purchase of two of the French/Spanish
Scorpene class submarines.
Conclusion
The RSN is the most capable navy in South East Asia. Its potent mix
of missile corvettes and submarines, in concert with the
surveillance and strike aircraft of the RSAF, can control the
waters surrounding Singapore, and allow it to exert control over
the length of the Singapore Strait, one of the world's most vital
waterways, and further a field.
The addition of the six stealth frigates, and the anticipated
replacements for the Challenger class submarines, will allow the
RSN to dominate the waters of its direct interest, and to project
that power into surrounding seas.
The Delta class frigates will also provide the RSN with the
capability to deploy naval power further from home waters, allowing
participation in United Nations sanctioned maritime operations such
as the Multi-National Interception Force enforcing sanctions
against Iraq.
One key weakness in the Singaporean naval order of battle is the
lack of support ships. Replenishment vessels would allow the RSN to
extend into the South China Sea and to the entrance of the Malacca
strait. It is more than likely that a Singaporean acquisition of
such replenishment ships would spark unrest in the navies of the
region as this would be the key indicator of Singaporean
expansion.
With tensions periodically rising and falling between the nations
of the region, the powerful RSN will still provide the rulers of
their tiny nation state with a versatile and potent arm in support
of diplomacy.
