Formidable-class frigate
RSS Steadfast in 2008
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Name: | Formidable class |
| Builders: | |
| Operators: |
 Republic of Singapore Navy
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| Completed: | 6 |
| Active: | 6 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type: | Frigate |
| Displacement: | 3,200 tonnes (3,150 long tons; 3,530 short tons) |
| Length: | 114.8 m (376 ft 8 in) |
| Beam: | 16.3 m (53 ft 6 in) |
| Draught: | 6.0 m (19 ft 8 in) |
| Installed power: |
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| Propulsion: |
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| Speed: |
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| Range: | 4,200 nautical miles (7,780 km) |
| Complement: | 71, excluding air crew detachment of approx. 19 |
| Sensors and processing systems: |
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| Electronic warfare & decoys: |
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| Armament: |
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| Aircraft carried: | 1 × S-70B Seahawk multi-mission capable naval helicopter |
| Aviation facilities: | Flight deck and enclosed hangar for up to two medium-lift helicopters |
| Notes: | Sources: |
The Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigates are the latest surface platforms to enter into service with the Republic of Singapore Navy, and are multi-mission derivatives of the French Navy's La Fayette-class frigate. The six ships form the 185 Squadron of the RSN.
The search for a replacement for the aging Sea Wolf-class missile gunboats, which entered into service in 1972, started in the mid-1990s. The United States, Sweden and France participated in the bid for the contract. In March 2000, the Singapore Ministry of Defence awarded the contract to DCNS for the design and construction of six frigates. A key feature of the contract was the technology transfer arrangement. Under the arrangement, DCNS was to design and build the first frigate in its Lorient yard in France while the remaining five frigates were to be built locally by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine at its Benoi yard in Singapore. Subsequent maintenance and mid-life retrofit will be done by ST Marine.
Construction of Formidable began in late 2002, when the keel was laid down in Lorient on November 2002.
Radar cross section (RCS) reduction features have been incorporated into the Formidable class design, with inclined hull sides and bulwarks as well as concealment of ship boats and replenishment-at-sea equipment behind low-RCS curtains. The Formidable class have a significantly reduced profile than the La Fayette class and its other derivatives, due to the smaller superstructure and the use of enclosed sensor mast technology. The frigate is also constructed entirely of steel, unlike the La Fayette class which makes extensive use of weight-saving composite structures in its aft superstructure block. The frigates also possess better sea keeping qualities and are able to stay at sea for longer periods of time.
The frigates are equipped with the Thales Herakles passive electronically scanned array multi-function radar, which provides three-dimensional surveillance for up to 250 km (155.3 mi). The radar provides all-round automatic search and tracking of both air and surface targets, and is integrated with the MBDA Aster air defence system. Utilising the DCNS Sylver vertical launch system (VLS), each frigate is equipped with 32 cells. It is reported that the frigates have a special surface-to-air missile configuration, combining the Thales Herakles radar with the Sylver A50 launcher and a mix of Aster 15 and 30 missiles.
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Wikipedia