The Singapore Navy has added two new LMV patrol ships. Singapore Navy Organizational structure of the Republic of Singapore Navy

Nikolaev A.S. 2016

Singapore Navy submarines.

The date of birth of the Singapore Navy can be considered August 9, 1965, when Singapore gained independence from Malaysia, and along with its separation from Malaysia received 2 wooden ships (RSS “Panglima” and RSS “Singapura”), which became part of the Singapore Volunteer Forces. The Singapore Navy received official fleet status on April 1, 1975. They started talking about submarines in Singapore in the 90s of the last century. 09/23/1995 The Singapore government bought a submarine from Sweden HMS "Sjobjoornen".

type " Challenger"

Submarines of this type belong to the A-12 project ("Sjoormen" type), were built in 1965 - 1969 by the Navy shipyards in Karlskrona and "Kockums Mekaniska Verkstads" in Malmö ( HMS "Sjolejonet" (29.06.1967), HMS "Sjobjoornen" (09.01.1968), HMS Sjohunden (21.03.1968), HMS Sjohasten (06.08.1968), HMS "Sjoormen"(01/25/1967)). Initially, the Kockums design bureau developed the A-11 project (submarine with VND based on fuel cells). Great difficulties in creating such an engine forced the company’s specialists to reconsider the project in favor of a conventional diesel-electric power plant. The modified project A-11 B / 12 was completed in 1963, and the lead “Sjoormen” was laid down in 1965, it entered the fleet in 1967. Performance characteristics of the submarine 1130/1400 tons; 50.5 x 6.1 x 5.1 m; single-hull; working diving depth 150 m; diesels (Hedemora-Pielstick PV/12PAZ) 4 x 600 hp; electric generators 4 x 600 kW; e.d. (ASEA) 1 x 3000 hp; 4 AB; 1 shaft, 12/20 knots; one low-speed 5-blade large diameter propeller; crew 16 people (7 officers); autonomy 21 days. Armament: 4 - 533-mm bow TA (ammunition load of 12 torpedoes of type 613 or 16 mines instead of torpedoes), 2 - 400-mm bow TA (6 PLO torpedoes of types 422 and 431); The automatic system reloads all TAs in 30 seconds. REV: Ericsson automated control system IBS-A-17 (SESUB-90B), Therma radar, CSU-83 sonar system from Atlas Elektronik. ASBU provides simultaneous tracking of 50 targets, for 10 of them data for the use of weapons is automatically generated. The system simultaneously and independently controls the firing of 12 wired torpedoes. These boats were built to replace the hopelessly outdated and completely worn out Abboren class submarines. Swedish designers chose a fundamentally new (streamlined) hull shape and for the first time used an X-shaped arrangement of stern stabilizers and rudders, and the bow rudders were placed on the wheelhouse fence, shifted towards the bow. Watertight bulkheads divide the robust hull into 5 compartments. It has two tiers in height. Compartment 1: upper deck: CPU, crew living quarters, wardroom. On the lower deck there are TAs, spare torpedoes, and mechanisms for general ship systems. Compartment 2: at the top are part of the control posts, at the bottom is the AB group. Another AB group is located in the 3rd compartment, on its upper deck there are living quarters for non-commissioned officers. Compartments 4 and 5 are occupied by power plants, auxiliary mechanisms, control posts, and stern rudder drives. All five boats underwent modernization in 1984 - 1985. During it, a new BIUS and a new GAS were installed. In 1992 - 1994 to “Sjolejonet” and “Sjohunden” the GAS and BIUS were changed again.

PLH.M.S.« Sjobjornen » in the Sngapura Navy received the name RSS "Challenger", and all boats of this type in the Singapore Navy began to be referred to as “Challenger” type submarines. RSS “Challenger”, Having completed a major overhaul and re-equipment for service in the tropics in September 1997, was in Sweden for several years to train new crews arriving from Singapore (thanks to increased automation of control processes, after modernization the crew size was reduced to 11 people). In 1997, 3 more submarines of the same class were purchased from Sweden - RSS "Centurion"(former HMS "Sjolejonet"),RSS "Chieftain"(former HMS Sjohunden) And RSS "Conqueror"(former HMS "Sjoormen"), which during 1997 - 2003 also underwent major repairs and re-equipment. HMS Sjohasten was purchased for spare parts and was not part of the Singapore Navy.

RSS « Challenger"

HMS " Sjoormen" ( now - RSS "Centurion")

RSS "Chieftain"

RSS "Conqueror"

In 2005, the Singapore Navy acquired two submarines of the Swedish project A-17 of the Vastergotland type - RSS «Swordsman» (HMS "Vastergotland", 27.11.1987) and RSS "Archer" (HMS Halsingland, October 20, 1988). Before being transferred to Singapore, both ships were retrofitted like the HMS Sodermanland - with the installation of Stirling engines ( air-independent propulsion system). The Singapore Navy began designating this type of submarine as the "Archer" class.

type " Archer"

PLThis type was intended for the Baltic Sea and is a further development of submarines of the “Shoormen” and “Nacken” types. They have a single-hull design. The CGB are located at the bow and stern ends. The PC is assembled from 4 sections using a modular principle. Living quarters (6 cabins) are located on the upper deck of the bow compartment. There is a rescue lock chamber, the outer hatch of which is equipped coaming platform for docking with a rescue bell or underwater rescue apparatus. The submarine has an X-shaped stern tail and horizontal bow rudders. The rudders do not protrude beyond the dimensions of the hull and do not create restrictions when mooring or laying the boat on the ground. The submarine control is automatic or manual using the SCC-200 system from SAAB. The operation of the power plant is controlled by the NDS-100 system. Compared to the submarine projects A-12 m A 14, the scope of measures to reduce the levels of physical fields of the submarine has been increased, incl. from detection by IR devices and gas analyzers. In November 1999, Kockums received a contract for 75 million. Doll, for the modernization of two submarines of the "Vastergotland" type - "Sodermanland" and "Ostergotland", providing, in particular, for the installation of auxiliary air-independent electric power plant "Stirling MKZ". TTX PL 1070/1143, 48.50-6-5.6, single-hull, operational diving depth 300m, autonomy 45 days, crew 20 (5 officers), power plant - diesel engine with full electric propulsion,number x diesel generator power 2 x 760 kW, 2 x 1080 ("Hedemora Pielstick" V12A/15-UD VA-185). Full speed surface (11 knots), underwater (20 knots), number x caliber TA 6 x 533 and 3 x 400, ammunition ammo 12 (533) and 6 (400), number of mines accepted instead of torpedoes - 12, number of mounted mine containers x number min -2 x 24. Type ASBU "Ericsson IPS-17TFCS" (SESUB 900 A), type GAK - "STN - Atlas Electronic" CSU-83.

RSS "Swordsman"

RSS Archer

In December 2013, Singapore contracted with the German concern ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) for two non-nuclear submarines of the new German project 218SG, the delivery of which to the customer is scheduled for 2020. In 2015, the French newsletter TTU, citing the Swedish press, reported that Singapore was to purchase two more non-nuclear submarines through a tender within the next two years. The new non-nuclear submarines are expected to replace four Challenger-class non-nuclear submarines in the Singapore Navy.

Diagram of the design of a promising German non-nuclear submarine of Project 216, which, it is believed, could form the basis of Project 218SG

The Ministry of Defense of Singapore announced the commissioning ceremony of two new LMV coastal patrol ships - (16) Savrinti and (17) Unity - held on November 14 at the Changi Naval Base.

The event was attended by the country's Defense Minister Ng Yong Hen, who described the LMV platform as a "quantum leap" compared to previously used Firless-class patrol ships.

Savrinthi and Unity became the second and third LMV class ships in the Singapore Navy.

As TSAMTO reported, on January 30, 2013, the Singapore Ministry of Defense entered into a contract with ST Engineering for the design and construction of eight 80-meter LMV coastal patrol ships. They will replace 11 Fearless-class patrol ships, in service for more than 20 years, built by ST Marine in the mid-1990s. The Singapore Navy decommissioned three Fearless-class patrol ships (Savrinti, Unity and Justice) in early October 2017.

The new ships are designed for patrolling, protecting maritime infrastructure and sea routes, as well as intercepting intruders and escorts.

The keel laying of the lead ship of the LMV, (15) Independence, took place in September 2014. She was launched on 3 July 2015 and handed over to the Singapore Navy on 26 May 2016. The ship entered service with the fleet on May 5, 2017.

Currently, the Singapore Navy has three ships of the series in service: (15) Independence, (16) Savrinti and (17) Unity. On October 31, the fourth ship, (18) Justice, was transferred to the fleet. The launch of the fifth ship in the series, (19) Indomitable, took place on September 23, 2017. Fortitude, Dontless and Fairless are also in various stages of construction.

Delivery of all ships is planned to be completed by 2020. They will be part of the 182nd Squadron of the Singapore Navy and will be stationed at the Tuas Naval Base.

The length of the ship of the LMV project is 80 m, width - 12 m, total displacement - 1250 tons. The CODAD type power plant includes four MTU 20V 4000 M93L diesel engines with a total power of 11532 hp. Maximum speed is more than 27 knots, cruising range is 3500 nautical miles at a cruising speed of 15 knots, endurance is 14 days. The high level of automation allows the ship to be controlled by only 23 crew members (including 5 officers). It is possible to accommodate another 30 landing personnel. The ship can accommodate the S-70B Seahawk medium helicopter. Two RHIB boats or an unmanned surface boat "Protector" can be placed on board.

The armament includes a 76/62-mm Super Rapid artillery mount from Oto Melara, one 25-mm stabilized AU "Typhoon" Mk.25 from Rafael, two Hitrole remote-controlled combat modules from Oto Melara with 12.7-mm machine guns . The ships are also equipped with a 12-container vertical launcher for MBDA's VL MICA anti-aircraft missile system located in the bow, which provides protection against airborne threats at ranges of up to 20 km.

In addition, non-lethal weapons are placed on board, including two cannons and two turrets with long-range acoustic emitters LRAD (Long-Range Acoustic Device) and blinding xenon searchlights.

Armed forces of the world

Singapore Air Force

Singapore is a unique city-island-state. It has a microscopic territory and a small population, while having a very powerful economy and armed forces. In terms of the degree of militarization in terms of territory and population, Singapore apparently surpasses even Israel. As in Israel, the country has a law on universal conscription, excluding any deferments and alternative service options and implying annual two-week military training until the age of 40. At the same time, the boy receives his first symbolic summons to the recruiting station immediately after birth, along with his birth certificate.

Some equipment (especially aviation) does not fit in the country and is constantly deployed abroad. The country receives most of its equipment from the USA, Great Britain and Israel, and its own military-industrial complex is rapidly developing. Although 75% of the country's population is ethnic Chinese, Singapore has no military ties with China.

Ground troops include 5 divisions - 3rd (it includes the 8th armored, 3rd, 5th, 24th, 30th infantry brigades), 6th (54th armored, 2nd, 9 -I, 76th Infantry Brigade), 9th (56th Armored, 10th, 12th Infantry Brigades), 21st (7th, 13th, 15th Infantry Brigades), 25 -th reserve (11th, 14th, 63rd, 65th infantry brigades). There are also 6 infantry brigades (21st, 22nd, 26th, 27th, 29th, 32nd), an MTR group and a Gurkha regiment (formally registered with the police), and a number of auxiliary units.

The basis of the tank fleet is 152 German Leopard-2A4 (another 30 similar tanks are used as a source of spare parts), some of which are located in Germany and are used for training Singaporean crews, as well as 25 of the newest Leopard-2A7. 340 obsolete light French AMX-13SM1 tanks remain in service. From 24 to 100 very old British Centurion tanks are in storage.

There are 44 French AMX-10R infantry fighting vehicles, of which half (22) are in the AMX-10PAC90 BRM variant. Also in service are 500 locally produced infantry fighting vehicles - 300 IFV-25 Bionix, 200 Bionix-2. Armored personnel carriers - 945 American М113А1/2 (of which at least 50 with a 25-mm cannon), 50 V-200 (another 200 in storage), 15 MaxxPro Dash, 730 local Broncos and450 AV-81 Terrex (including 135 with 25 mm cannon), 60 French Sherpa, 122 South African Marauder; 40 American V-150 and 30 V-100, up to 300 Swedish Bv206 are in storage.

The ground forces are armed only with artillery of their own production. These are 54 self-propelled guns SSPH-1 "Primus" (155 mm), 124 towed guns - 18 FH-2000, 54 "Pegasus", 52 FH-88 (155 mm). There are 121 towed guns in storage - 22 British LG1 (105 mm), 45 Israeli M-68 and 38 M-71, 16 American M114A1 (155 mm). Mortars - 500 (81 mm) and 90 self-propelled (40 on the Bronco, 50 on the M113) (120 mm); 50 Israeli M-65 (120 mm) and 12 Finnish M-58 Tampella (160 mm) are in storage. There are 18 of the latest American HIMARS MLRS (227 mm).

It is armed with 30 old French Milan ATGMs and 30 newest Israeli Spike missiles.

Air Force Singapore has up to 100 American 4th generation fighters - 40 F-15SG, 60 F-16 (20 C, 40 D). As was said at the beginning of the article, these aircraft do not fit in Singapore and are therefore based in the USA. 41 old American F-5 fighters remain in service (32 S, 9 combat trainers T; 7 RF-5S reconnaissance aircraft have been withdrawn from the Air Force and are put up for sale). There are up to 62 even older A-4SU attack aircraft in storage (including up to 21 combat training TA-4SU). The attack aircraft are based in France and are used as training aircraft. Only F-5s that have undergone major modernization in this country are stationed in Singapore.

There are 5 Dutch basic patrol aircraft "Fokker-50", 4 American AWACS aircraft "Gulfstream" G550 (2 old E-2C in storage), 9 American tankers (4 KC-135R, 5 KS-130 (4 V, 1 N )), 9 transport aircraft (5 C-130N, 4 Fokker-50), 33 training aircraft (19 Swiss RS-21, 2 New Zealand ST/4E, 12 newest Italian T-346). RS-21 are stationed in Australia, T-346 in France.

In service are 19 American AH-64D Apache combat helicopters (1 more in storage) and 8 S-70B anti-submarine helicopters, as well as about 50 transport helicopters - 15 American CH-47 Chinook (5 D, 10 SD; more 1 D in storage), up to 19 French AS332M and 13 AS532UL (up to 8 AS550 and up to 2 AS350 in storage for sale). “Apaches” and some “Chinooks” are stationed in the USA, French helicopters are in Australia. 5 European EC120B helicopters are used as training helicopters.

Ground-based air defense includes 2 batteries of the American Advanced Hawk air defense system (12 PU) and 2 batteries of the latest French SAMP/T air defense system, 24 short-range air defense systems (12 Israeli Spiders, 12 British Rapiers), 555 MANPADS (500 French Mistral ", 30 Russian "Igla" (in the self-propelled version - 6 launchers per 5 M113 armored personnel carriers), 25 Swedish RBS-70), 58 Swiss anti-aircraft guns - 34 GDF-001, 24 GDF-002 (35 mm).

Navy consist of 2 Archer-class submarines (Swedish Västergötland) and 2 Challenger-class submarines (Swedish Sjoormen; another 2 similar submarines are in storage), 6 Formidable-class frigates (French Lafayette class) , 6 Victory-class missile corvettes (German project), 5 Independence-class patrol ships (3 more will be built), 5 own Fireless-class patrol boats (6 more in storage; up to 100 small patrol boats are available in the Coast Guard ), 4 minesweepers of the Bedok type (Swedish project), 4 DTD of the Endurance type of our own project. The submarines were transferred to Singapore from the Swedish Navy, all surface ships and boats were built in Singapore itself.

After becoming independent in 1965, the former British colony managed to make the leap from a third world country to a highly developed state with a high standard of living. The most developed industry is shipbuilding. At the time of independence, poverty-stricken Singapore had only two wooden patrol ships, which became part of the Singapore Volunteer Force. Today, the Singapore Navy is considered one of the best in the region.

The Singapore Navy received official status on April 1, 1975. Their main task is protection from attack from the sea and protection of trade sea routes in the waters of the Singapore Strait. Singapore is part of a military alliance with Australia, Malaysia, New Zealand and the UK.

Frigates and corvettes

The most modern ships of the Singapore Navy are six frigates of the Formidable class (a modification of the La Fayette frigates). These are the most high-tech warships in Southeast Asia and can serve as a ship-to-ship communications center. The 185th squadron is formed.

The Singapore Ministry of Defense signed a contract for the development and construction of six frigates with the French company DCNS in March 2000. The key point of the contract is technology transfer. The first frigate was built in France, the remaining five were built in Singapore. Further maintenance and upgrades are provided by Singapore-based ST Marine (STM).

The main feature of the frigate's hull design is design measures to reduce the effective scattering surface. They include inclined surfaces of the sides, bulwarks and superstructures, some of the equipment is hidden in the hull, composite materials and special radio-absorbing coatings are widely used. Compared to the prototype, the frigates demonstrate better seaworthiness and greater autonomy, as well as reduced radar signature.

The frigates are designed as nodes of the integrated command and control network of the Singapore Armed Forces, built on a principle similar to American network-centric systems. The main components of the network are the combat information control system (CIUS) developed in Singapore and a dual data transmission system based on the Fast Ethernet protocol (a general name for a set of data transmission standards in computer networks using Ethernet technology with speeds of up to 100 Mbit/s, unlike the original 10 Mbit/s).

Each frigate has a zone of responsibility with a radius of 360 kilometers. Acting as a mobile operations center, it receives information from similar ships and airborne objects within its reach. The combat management system integrates all available information, creating a complete picture of the combat zone and transmitting it to shore operators and other participants in the operation. The expansion of the controlled space and the minimum reaction time to the threat does not leave the enemy time to respond.

A special feature of the construction of a series of these warships is the integration carried out by Singaporean specialists into a single combat complex of weapon systems produced in different countries: the Harpoon anti-ship missile and the ALOFTS sonar system (USA), the Aster anti-aircraft missile system and the Herakles radar station (France), 76-mm gun mount Oto Melara (Italy), electron-optical SUAO (Germany). The ship is adapted to host a Seahawk helicopter.

In 1983, Singapore ordered six Victory-class corvettes based on the German MGB 62 project. The first was built by the German Lurssen Werft, the rest were built in Singapore at the ST Marine shipyard. They became part of the Navy in 1990–1991. They have anti-submarine weapons and form the 188th Squadron, part of the First Flotilla.

In 1996, the corvettes were equipped with Barak I missile launchers, as well as additional electronic weapons. In 2011, the replacement of the Sea Giraffe 150HC radar with the Sea Giraffe AMB began. In 2012, as part of the service life extension program, the ships underwent modernization, the main points of which were the installation of new control systems, electronic weapons and ScanEagle UAVs.

The Fearless class corvettes were designed and built at the Singapore shipyard ST Marine. Entered service in 1996–1998. The first five ships form the 189th squadron, the remaining six - the 182nd. The hull is made of steel, the superstructure is made of light alloy. The design allows the installation of additional equipment, radar and weapons. The first six ships are armed with anti-submarine torpedoes. On some, instead of 25-mm guns, air defense systems are installed in the form of a Simbad air defense system at the stern. Kamewa water jet propulsion ensures high maneuverability.

In total, the Singapore Navy has eleven corvettes of this type. Initially there were twelve of them, but in 2003, the anti-submarine corvette RSS Courageous (ships and vessels of the Singapore Navy have the RSS prefix from the English Republic of Singapore Ship - Ship of the Republic of Singapore) collided with a merchant ship, received significant damage and was withdrawn from the fleet. To enhance readiness, each ship has a backup crew. RSS Unity is used as a test bed for new technologies.

On 30 January 2013, Singapore's Ministry of Defense awarded a contract to ST Marine to build eight new ships to replace the Fearless-class corvettes. Delivery of the first is planned for 2015–2016. A total of eight ships are expected to be delivered by 2020. According to some estimates, the value of the contract could reach up to two billion US dollars.

In 2012, the Sultanate of Oman awarded a contract to ST Engineering to build four ships based on the Fearless design. The length of the new ship (Al-Ofouq type) is 75 meters, the contract amount is about 535 million euros. The propulsion will be propellers, not water cannons. Also, thanks to the length increased by 20 meters, these ships will carry a helicopter in addition to the UAV.

Landing ships, minesweepers and submarines

The largest ships of the Singapore Navy are the amphibious transport Endurance. Plans for their creation were first announced in 1996, when the need arose to replace the old County-class landing ships (LST), received from the United States in the 70s. The 191st squadron is formed.

The design of the new ships was an important milestone in the history of Singaporean shipbuilding due to the scale of the project. Construction was carried out at the ST Marine shipyard. In 2000–2001, Endurance-class ships were introduced into the fleet.

They have a docking chamber for four landing craft, as well as a flight deck with the ability to accommodate two helicopters. The integrated ASIST system allows the helicopter to land and move without the presence of personnel on the flight deck.

On board the RSS Resolution are two Protector unmanned boats manufactured by the Israeli company Rafael. They are made on the basis of a rigid-hull inflatable boat, have a superstructure made of composite materials, several video cameras and a gyro-stabilized inertial navigation system. The boat is also equipped with an automatic audio system, microphones and a loudspeaker.

On November 11, 2008, a contract worth 200 million Singapore dollars was signed for the supply of one Endurance class ship to Thailand. In 2011, this ship, named HTMS Angthong, was launched and a year later handed over to the customer.

At the end of 2010, ST Marine announced a new project for the Endurance 160 landing ship with a displacement of more than 14,000 tons with a full-size flight deck. It is planned that its crew will be twice as large as the existing Endurance, plus 150 pilots and technical personnel. The ship will also acquire the capabilities of a hospital ship, for which it is equipped with a spacious infirmary and the necessary medical equipment.

The construction of such a ship will take the Singapore Navy to a completely new level. A full-size flight deck with the possibility of installing a ski-jump will allow it to accommodate not only helicopters, but also SUVs. Japan has experience in building ships of this class, which are formally amphibious helicopter carriers, but in fact light aircraft carriers (Hyuga type).

At the end of 1995, the Singapore fleet included four Bedok-class minesweepers, which form the 194th squadron. Experts estimate that in the event of a real mine threat that would result in the shutdown of Singapore's commercial port, the damage would be approximately US$1.2 billion per day. Thus, these ships play an important role in the security of Singapore's economy.

The lead ship Bedok was built at the Swedish shipyard Karlskonavarvet (now Kockums) according to the Landsort design. The remaining units were built in Sweden and assembled in Singapore at ST Marine.

The ships are constructed from reinforced fiberglass, which provides a low magnetic signature. The bridge equipment, engines and main systems are mounted on shock absorbers.

Each ship is equipped with Voith-Schneider propellers, which provide them with good controllability and maneuverability.

In November 2008, a modernization program for Bedok-class ships was announced. The tender was won by Thales, which in May 2009 announced that the Singapore Defense Science and Technology Agency had awarded it a contract to implement the Bedok ship life extension program. Two of the four were planned to be completely modernized, the rest partially.

Thales will install an integrated mine action system with an information system for mine weapons, a hull-mounted and towed sonar, and self-propelled mine finder-destroyer vehicles. Thales is also responsible for making design changes to accommodate the new equipment.

The Singapore Navy operates five submarines: three Challenger (Sjoorman) and two Archer (Vastergotland) types, built by the Swedish shipyard Kockums.

Challenger-class submarines were built in the late 60s in Sweden. At one time they were considered one of the most advanced non-nuclear submarines. Initially intended for operations in the Baltic Sea. In the early 90s they were withdrawn from the Swedish fleet. In Singapore, they were “tropicalized” for use in warm waters. The air conditioning and protection systems against fouling of the hull by marine organisms were modernized, and a more corrosion-resistant pipeline system was installed. In addition, new periscopes were installed. By 2004, three boats became part of the Singapore Navy. One Challenger-class submarine - the RSS Challenger itself - was not introduced into the fleet and is used as a training ship. The boats are now over 40 years old.

The Archer-class submarine was built in the early 80s. A total of four boats of this type were made in Sweden. The first two submarines of the series were sold to Singapore in November 2005. Upon transfer, they underwent an upgrade procedure for use in tropical waters. Equipped with an air-independent main power plant.

High shipbuilding potential

The existence of Singapore's powerful shipbuilding potential, which is actively operating not only in the domestic market, but also for export, allows us to speak of the relative industrial independence of the state in this industry.

Singapore is the only country in the world whose ship register includes an ekranoplan of its own construction (Airfish-8).

The construction of warships is carried out by the state-owned company ST Marine. The production capacity of STM's two main shipyards, located in the Jurong and Tuaz regions, allows the construction of frigate-class warships, as well as merchant ships with a tonnage of up to 70 thousand tons. During the period from 2007 to 2010, a number of contracts were concluded for the construction of cargo, passenger and special ships for the world's leading transport companies.

The Singapore-Australian enterprise Asia-Pac Geraldton Ltd is building high-speed patrol boats for the Navy and police coast guard services.

The private Singaporean-British company Wasper Private Ltd is also involved in the production of naval equipment, which builds Waspada-class missile boats for the Singapore Navy and foreign customers, in particular for Bahrain, Brunei, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Oman.

In 2004, Singapore acquired the American subsidiary VT Halter Marine, which was on the verge of bankruptcy. Thanks to the efforts of Singaporean management, the shipyard has been returned to the category of profitability and is currently fulfilling a number of long-term orders from the American military department. In addition, for the period from 2008 to 2012, an agreement was concluded with the Egyptian Navy to build a series of missile boats worth more than 640 million US dollars.

Among the large foreign orders, it is necessary to highlight the construction of landing ships for the navies of India, Thailand, Kuwait and Brunei, as well as patrol boats for the Indian coast guard. According to current intergovernmental agreements, warships from the United States and Thailand are also repaired at STM shipyards.

In general, the Singapore Navy is a technologically advanced component of the armed forces, capable of carrying out current tasks to ensure the country's security, and military allies such as the United States and Israel make it a very serious player in the region.

The state's shipbuilding industry is able to independently meet the needs of the Navy.

All ships in the fleet are very modern or have recently undergone a modernization or service life extension program. However, the absence of light strike forces and the weak component of the submarine forces are noteworthy.

The Jane's Fighting Ships 2013–2014 directory indicates that there are no missile boats in the fleet. At the same time, they are successfully built (under license) for export, so with a high degree of probability it can be assumed that the Singapore industry will meet the needs of the fleet in this sector.

As for submarines, we should expect new purchases abroad in the near future (to replace Challenger-type submarines) with the gradual orientation of the national industry in this direction.

After becoming independent in 1965, the former British colony managed to make the leap from a third world country to a highly developed state with a high standard of living. The most developed industry is shipbuilding. At the time of independence, poverty-stricken Singapore had only two wooden patrol ships, which became part of the Singapore Volunteer Force. Today, the Singapore Navy is considered one of the best in the region.

Frigates and corvettes

The most modern ships of the Singapore Navy are six Formidable-class frigates(modification of the frigates La Fayette). These are the most high-tech warships in Southeast Asia and can serve as a ship-to-ship communications center. The 185th squadron is formed.

Each frigate has a zone of responsibility with a radius of 360 kilometers. Acting as a mobile operations center, it receives information from similar ships and airborne objects within its reach. The combat management system integrates all available information, creating a complete picture of the combat zone and transmitting it to shore operators and other participants in the operation. The expansion of the controlled space and the minimum reaction time to the threat does not leave the enemy time to respond.

A special feature of the construction of a series of these warships is the integration of weapon systems produced in different countries into a single combat complex carried out by Singaporean specialists:
— Harpoon anti-ship missile and ALOFTS sonar system (USA);
— Aster anti-aircraft missile system and Herakles radar station (France);
— 76-mm gun mount Oto Melara (Italy);
— electron-optical SUAO (Germany).

The ship is adapted to host a Seahawk helicopter.

In 1983, Singapore ordered six Victory-class corvettes according to the German project MGB 62. The first was built by the German Lurssen Werft, the rest were built in Singapore at the ST Marine shipyard. They became part of the Navy in 1990–1991. They have anti-submarine weapons and form the 188th Squadron, part of the First Flotilla.

Fearless-class corvettes designed and built at the Singapore shipyard ST Marine. Entered service in 1996–1998. The first five ships form the 189th squadron, the remaining six - the 182nd. The hull is made of steel, the superstructure is made of light alloy. The design allows the installation of additional equipment, radar and weapons. The first six ships are armed with anti-submarine torpedoes. On some, instead of 25-mm guns, air defense systems are installed in the form of a Simbad air defense system at the stern. Kamewa water jet propulsion ensures high maneuverability.

In 2012, the Sultanate of Oman awarded a contract to ST Engineering to build four ships based on the Fearless design. The length of the new ship (Al-Ofouq type) is 75 meters, the contract amount is about 535 million euros. The propulsion will be propellers, not water cannons. Also, thanks to the increased length by 20 meters, these ships will carry a helicopter in addition to the UAV.

Landing ships, minesweepers and submarines

The largest ships of the Singapore Navy are: airborne transport Endurance. Plans for their creation were first announced in 1996, when the need arose to replace the old County-class landing ships (LST), received from the United States in the 70s. The 191st squadron is formed.

At the end of 2010, ST Marine announced a new project landing ship Endurance 160 displacement of more than 14,000 tons with a full-size flight deck. It is planned that its crew will be twice as large as the existing Endurance, plus 150 pilots and technical personnel. The ship will also acquire the capabilities of a hospital ship, for which it is equipped with a spacious infirmary and the necessary medical equipment.

At the end of 1995, the Singapore fleet included four Bedok-class minesweepers, which form the 194th squadron. Experts estimate that in the event of a real mine threat that would result in the shutdown of Singapore's commercial port, the damage would be approximately US$1.2 billion per day. Thus, these ships play an important role in the security of Singapore's economy.

The lead ship Bedok was built at the Swedish shipyard Karlskonavarvet (now Kockums) according to the Landsort design. The remaining units were built in Sweden and assembled in Singapore at ST Marine.

The ships are constructed from reinforced fiberglass, which provides a low magnetic signature. The bridge equipment, engines and main systems are mounted on shock absorbers. Each ship is equipped with Voith-Schneider propellers, which provide them with good controllability and maneuverability.

The Singapore Navy includes five submarines(submarines): three Challenger types (Sjoorman) and two Archer types (Vastergotland), built by the Swedish shipyard Kockums.

Challenger-class submarines built in the late 60s in Sweden. At one time they were considered one of the most advanced non-nuclear submarines. Initially intended for operations in the Baltic Sea. In the early 90s they were withdrawn from the Swedish fleet. In Singapore, they were “tropicalized” for use in warm waters. The air conditioning and protection systems against fouling of the hull by marine organisms were modernized, and a more corrosion-resistant pipeline system was installed. In addition, new periscopes were installed. By 2004, three boats became part of the Singapore Navy. One Challenger-class submarine - the RSS Challenger itself - was not introduced into the fleet and is used as a training ship. The boats are now over 40 years old.

Archer-class submarines built in the early 80s. A total of four boats of this type were made in Sweden. The first two submarines of the series were sold to Singapore in November 2005. Upon transfer, they underwent an upgrade procedure for use in tropical waters. Equipped with an air-independent main power plant.

High shipbuilding potential

Singapore is the only country in the world whose ship register includes an ekranoplan of its own construction (Airfish-8).

The Singapore-Australian enterprise Asia-Pac Geraldton Ltd is building high-speed patrol boats for the Navy and police coast guard services. The private Singaporean-British company Wasper Private Ltd is also involved in the production of naval equipment, which builds Waspada-class missile boats for the Singapore Navy and foreign customers, in particular for Bahrain, Brunei, Hong Kong, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, Malaysia, and Oman.

Overall, the Singapore Navy is a technologically advanced component of the Armed Forces, capable of carrying out current national security missions, and military allies such as the United States and Israel make it a very serious player in the region.

The state's shipbuilding industry is able to independently meet the needs of the Navy. All ships in the fleet are very modern or have recently undergone a modernization or service life extension program. However, attention is drawn to the absence of light strike forces and the weak component of the submarine forces.

As for submarines, we should expect new purchases abroad in the near future (to replace Challenger-type submarines) with the gradual orientation of the national industry in this direction.