Fearless-class patrol vessel

The Fearless-class patrol vessels were built by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in the 1990s. Four remain in service with the RSN as modified Sentinel-class Maritime Security and Response Vessels (MSRVs), while derivatives of the type are also in service in the navies of Brunei, Oman and the United Arab Emirates.

RSS Dauntless, during the bilateral exercise MILAN 2018 with the Indian Navy
Class overview
NameFearless class
Builders
Operators
Preceded bySwift class
Succeeded byIndependence class
Subclasses
Built1995–1998
In commission1998–2020
Completed12
Active2 (in Brunei service)
Lost1
Retired11
General characteristics
TypePatrol vessel
Displacement500 t (490 long tons)
Length55.0 m (180 ft 5 in)
Beam8.6 m (28 ft 3 in)
Draught2.7 m (8 ft 10 in)
Propulsion2 × MTU 12 V 595 TE 90 diesel engines coupled to ZF gear boxes driving 2 × Kamewa Waterjets
SpeedIn excess of 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Range1,000 nmi (1,900 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Sensors and
processing systems
  • Search radar: IAI/ELTA EL/M-2228(X) (E/F band)
  • Navigation radar: Kelvin Hughes 1007 (I band)
  • Sonar: Thales Underwater Systems TSM 2362 Gudgeon hull-mounted medium frequency active sonar (first 6 ships)
  • Weapon control: Elbit MSIS optronic director
Electronic warfare
& decoys
  • ESM: Elisra NS 9010C intercept, Rafael C-Pearl M
  • Decoys: 2 × GEC Marine Shield III 102 mm sextuple fixed chaff launchers
Armament

Development

The Fearless-class patrol vessels were ordered as replacements for the earlier Swift-class coastal patrol craft after they had been transferred to the Police Coast Guard.[1] The contract was awarded to ST Marine on 27 February 1993.

Design and construction

The patrol vessel is powered by two MTU 12V 595 TE 90 diesel engines coupled to ZF gear boxes. It is equipped with an MTU ship control monitoring and management system (SCMMS). In a departure from traditional conventional drives, the patrol vessel is fitted with twin waterjet systems developed by Kamewa of Sweden. The patrol vessel’s main gun, installed on the bow deck, is the OTO Melara 76 mm Super Rapide. The patrol vessels are also armed with four CIS 50 12.7mm machine guns. The air defence system is the Simbad twin missile launcher for the Mistral surface-to-air missile. The first six vessels of the class were fitted for anti-submarine warfare, and are additionally armed with triple tube 324mm B515 torpedo launchers from Whitehead Alenia Sistemi Subacquei S.p.A. (WASS).

Sentinel-class Maritime Security and Response Vessels

In 2021, four former Fearless-class patrol vessels were refurbished and re-inducted into service as Sentinel-class maritime security and response vessels (MSRV). The refurbishment plan was announced in March 2020 in response to the increase of sea robberies within the region, and foreign intrusions of Singapore territorial waters.[2][3] The first two vessels, MSRV Sentinel (55) and Guardian (56), entered operational service with the RSN's Maritime Security and Response Flotilla on 26 January 2021, with the latter two, MSRV Protector (57) and Bastion (58), joining them on 20 January 2022.[4]

In addition to refitting the vessels to extend their operational lifespan, the Sentinel-class MSRVs were fitted with a range of calibrated capabilities, including enhanced communications equipment, improved visual and audio warning systems, and modular ballistics protection on their superstructures. As part of the refit, non-lethal LRAD and laser dazzling systems were added to increase operational flexibility, while fenders were incorporated into the hull to come alongside vessels of interest.[5] The MSRVs retain the 76mm Oto Melara naval gun that was previously in service on the Fearless-class, but have additionally been equipped with a Typhoon 25mm naval gun system at stern. For point defence, the MSRVs are also equipped with 7.62 mm machine gun positions near their bridge wings. [6]

Operational history

Over the years, the PV fleet has participated in various maritime security missions, safeguarding Singapore's waters and deterring piracy and sea robbery, as well as search-and-rescue efforts.

On 3 January 2003, RSS Courageous was badly damaged in a collision with a container ship in the Singapore Strait.[7] The ship has since been stricken from the navy list.[8]

In January 2005, 189 Squadron was transferred to the Coastal Command from the Fleet, with the 11 ships forming the 182 and 189 Squadron.[9]

On 30 January 2013, MINDEF awarded ST Engineering a contract to design and build a new class of eight littoral mission vessels (LMVs), which progressively replaced the Fearless-class patrol vessels from 2017.[10][11] The final two Fearless-class PVs, RSS Freedom and Gallant, were decommissioned in December 2020.[12]

Exports

In April 2012, ST Marine was awarded a contract by the Ministry of Defence of Oman to build four 75-metre (246 ft) patrol vessels based on the Fearless class. The vessels were delivered as the Al-Ofouq class between 2015 and 2016.[13]

In November 2021, ST Engineering was awarded a sub-contract for design, platform equipment and technical assistance by Abu Dhabi Ship Building (ADSB), which is building four Falaj 3-class Offshore Patrol Vessels based on the Fearless class for the UAE Navy.[14]

In March 2023, the former RSS Brave and Gallant were transferred as a gift to the Royal Brunei Navy as KBD As-Siddiq and Al-Faruq.[15]

Ships of class
Name Pennant Number Launched Commissioned Decommissioned Remarks
RSS Fearless9418 February 19955 October 199627 August 2019[16]
RSS Brave959 September 19955 October 199627 August 2019[16]Refurbished and transferred to the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) as KDB As-Siddiq[17]
RSS Courageous969 September 19955 October 1996-N.A.-Stricken May 2003
RSS Gallant9727 April 19963 May 199711 December 2020[18]Refurbished and transferred to the Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) as KDB Al-Faruq[17]
RSS Daring9827 April 19963 May 199719 July 2018[19]
RSS Dauntless9923 November 19963 May 199727 August 2019[16]Current MSRV Guardian (56)
RSS Resilience8223 November 19967 February 199819 July 2018[19]
RSS Unity8319 July 19977 February 19983 October 2017[20]
RSS Sovereignty8419 July 19977 February 19983 October 2017[20]
RSS Justice8518 October 199722 August 19983 October 2017[20]
RSS Freedom8618 October 199722 August 199811 December 2020[18]
RSS Independence8719 April 199822 August 19988 March 2017[21]

Notes
  1. "Factsheet - History of RSN's Patrol Vessels". Ministry of Defence of Singapore (MINDEF). 15 June 2005. Archived from the original on 3 July 2017. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  2. Lim, Min Zhang (2 March 2020). "Parliament: SAF to restructure to deal with cyber, terrorism, maritime threats". The Straits Times. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  3. "Fact Sheet: New Maritime Security and Response Flotilla to Enhance Maritime Security". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  4. "Factsheet - New Maritime Security and Response Flotilla to Enhance Maritime Security". Ministry of Defence of Singapore (MINDEF). 26 January 2021. Retrieved 26 January 2021.
  5. "Infographic: Maritime Security and Response Flotilla". Ministry of Defence. Retrieved 1 February 2021.
  6. "Singapore inaugurates Maritime Security and Response Flotilla". Janes.com. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  7. "One dead in naval collision". BBC News. 4 January 2003. Archived from the original on 1 April 2010. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  8. Saunders, Stephen (2008–2009). Jane's Fighting Ships (111 ed.). Alexandria, Virginia: Jane's Information Group. ISBN 978-0-7106-2845-9.
  9. "COSCOM Expands" (PDF). Navy News. Ministry of Defence of Singapore (MINDEF). 2005. p. 5. Archived (PDF) from the original on 20 May 2013. Retrieved 18 July 2011.
  10. "MINDEF Signs Contract with ST Engineering for the Construction of Eight New Vessels" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 1 February 2020. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  11. "ST Engineering Wins Newbuild Contract for Eight Naval Vessels for the Republic of Singapore Navy" (Press release). ST Engineering. 30 January 2013. Archived from the original on 3 February 2013. Retrieved 31 January 2013.
  12. "Singapore Navy decommissions final two Fearless-class patrol vessels". NavalToday.com. 11 December 2022. Retrieved 21 March 2023.
  13. "ST Engineering Secures PVs Contract". navaltoday.com. 9 April 2012. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 6 January 2013.
  14. "ST Engineering Secures International Defence Contract for Falaj 3-Class Offshore Patrol Vessels for UAE Navy". ST Engineering. 15 November 2021. Retrieved 1 December 2021.
  15. "Brunei to induct ex-Singapore Fearless-class patrol boats". Janes.com. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  16. "RSS Fearless, RSS Brave and RSS Dauntless Retire After Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 27 August 2019. Archived from the original on 28 August 2019. Retrieved 27 August 2019.
  17. Rahmat, Ridzwan (21 March 2023). "Brunei to induct ex-Singapore Fearless-class patrol boats". Janes. Retrieved 2023-03-17.
  18. "Final Two Patrol Vessels RSS Freedom and RSS Gallant Retire After Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 11 December 2020. Archived from the original on 11 December 2020. Retrieved 11 December 2020.
  19. "RSS Daring and RSS Resilience Retire After Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 19 July 2018. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 19 July 2018.
  20. "RSN Warships Sovereignty, Unity and Justice Retire After Close to Two Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 3 October 2017. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 3 October 2017.
  21. "RSS Independence Retires After Close to Two Decades of Distinguished Service" (Press release). Ministry of Defence of Singapore. 8 March 2017. Archived from the original on 20 July 2018. Retrieved 8 March 2017.
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