The keel laying ceremony for the RSNÂ’s first locally-built stealth frigate was held at Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine) in Jurong today. Chief of Defence Force, LG Lim Chuan Poh, officiated at the ceremony. The keel laying of the first locally-built frigate marks a significant milestone for SingaporeÂ’s defence industry.
This locally-built frigate is the second of six new stealth frigates for the RSN. The first of the class is being built in France by Direction des Construction Navales and is expected to sail back to Singapore in 2005. ST Marine will construct the remaining five ships locally, together with ST Electronics and DSO National Laboratories in systems development. The RSN provides key operational inputs during the design phase of the ship, and is also involved in systems design and integration process to ensure that they meet operational requirements. The frigates are built to be stealthy, using the latest ship design and building technology. The Defence Science & Technology Agency is the overall programme manager and systems integrator for the frigate programme.
The RSNÂ’s frigate programme is a significant collaboration between the defence establishments of Singapore and France. The defence relationship between Singapore and France is an extensive one which also includes regular dialogue at the policy level and professional interactions in bilateral and multilateral exercises.
The addition of the frigates to the RSN fleet will enhance the capabilities of the navy in the defence of Singapore.