Singapore Navy Commissions New Vessels, Training Facility

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has commissioned two littoral mission vessels RSS Justice and RSS Indomitable and opened a simulation center for training crews of the vessels at Tuas Naval Base.

The vessels are built to be easily configured for a variety of mission including coastal security, maritime patrol and surveillance missions, humanitarian assistance, disaster relief and search and rescue missions.

Jointly developed by the RSN and Defence Science Technology Agency (DSTA), the integrated simulation center for the vessels leverages technology to integrate training on navigation, technical skills and combat. The simulation center provides realistic training that has enabled the Navy to shorten the training that shortens total training time required for each ship by as much as 60 percent.

Designed and built locally by ST Marine, the Independence-class vessels have better sea-keeping and endurance and can be manned with a smaller crew than the Fearless-class patrol vessels that they supersede. The network-centric ships possess advanced radars and sensors, as well as a 360 degree out-the-window view and improved sense-making systems to enhance situational awareness and accelerate decision-making.

The first three vessels in the class, RSS Independence, RSS Sovereignty and RSS Unity, have been put to test since their commissioning last year, participating in various exercises with foreign counterparts in the region, including the inaugural ASEAN Multilateral Naval Exercise in Thailand last year as well as bilateral exercises with Thailand and Indonesia this year.

The remaining three vessels are expected to be operational by 2020. The seventh vessel RSS Dauntless was launched in August this year. The sixth, RSS Fortitude was launched in March.

Speaking at the ceremony, Second Minister for Finance and Education Indranee Rajah, said: “Today, maritime trade remains vital for modern Singapore, contributing seven percent to our GDP each year and sustaining about 170,000 jobs for Singaporeans. As a maritime nation in a maritime region, Singapore’s security and success are inextricably linked to the sea. We rely on freedom of access to the sea without the burden of tariffs for economic prosperity.

“It is therefore critical that the Singapore Strait and the Malacca Strait remain open and undisrupted. In this regard, the role of the RSN is crucial to Singapore’s survival as a nation. The RSN secures our Sea Lines of Communication, safeguards our continued free access to the sea, and protects our way of life.”