The Republic of
Singapore Navy ( RSN) launched its sixth stealth frigate, RSS Supreme, at the Singapore Technologies Marine shipyard on May 9. According to a statement by the Ministry of Defense (MINDEF), RSS Supreme is the final frigate to be built locally, which will undergo harbor and sea trials in the next phase of construction. Minister for Defense Teo Chee Hean and Minister for Manpower and Second Minister for Defense Ng Eng Hen were present at the launching ceremony. According to MINDEF's Formidable-class frigate program, the six new stealth frigates will replace the RSN's missile gunboats which have been in service for more than 25 years. Designed by Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) the frigates are equipped with advanced sensor and weapon systems and will enable the RSN to undertake a wide spectrum of missions with their enhanced anti-air, anti- surface and anti-submarine warfare capabilities, according to MINDEF. Under the contract signed by MINDEF and DCN in March 2000, the first frigate of the six, RSS Formidable, was built by DCN in France. Launched in January 2004, RSS Formidable arrived in Singapore in July 2005 to undergo Combat Systems checkout, integration and testing. It is expected to be fully operational in 2007. The other five frigates were built and launched in Singapore under a technology transfer arrangement and are in various stages of construction. (Source: People’s Daily Online)