Article Posted on : - Jan 31, 2013

The Fearless-class patrol vessel. An RSN photo

SINGAPORE (BNS): The Singapore Defence Ministry has awarded a contract to Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd (ST Engineering) to design and build of eight new naval vessels for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

The new crafts will replace the Navy's existing Fearless-class patrol vessels which will reach the end of their operational lifespan in 2020 after being in service for more than 20 years, the Defence Ministry announced on January 30.

Under the contract, the amount of which was not disclosed, Singapore Technologies Marine Ltd (ST Marine), the marine arm of ST Engineering, will build the vessels at its Singapore Benoi Yard.

The Group's electronics arm, Singapore Technologies Electronics Ltd, will supply the core combat systems and combat system integration solutions.

ST Marine will carry out the platform system integration as the lead system integrator, the company said.

Design of the new vessels will commence immediately and the delivery is expected to begin from 2016 onwards, it said.

The existing Fearless-class patrol vessels were built by ST Marine in the 1990s.

The new fleet of vessels will be equipped with enhanced combat systems and integrated communications suite that would enable the RSN to undertake a wide range of maritime security operations and carry out its mission of safeguarding Singapore's vital sea lines of communications more effectively, the Defence Ministry said.

All eight vessels are expected to be fully operational by 2020.