The 'Republic of Singapore Navy' (
Abbreviation: RSN;
Chinese: æ–°åŠ å¡å…±å’Œå›½æµ·å†›éƒ¨é˜Ÿ;
Malay: Angkatan Laut Republik Singapura) is the
navy of the
Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its
sea lines of communications. Operating within the crowded
littoral waters of the
Singapore Strait, the RSN is regarded as one of the best in the region.
[1] All commissioned ships of the RSN have a prefix ''RSS'', which means ''Republic of Singapore Ship''.
History
The RSN traces its origins to the
Royal Navy in the 1930s with only two patrol craft. The
Straits Settlements Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was established on
20 April 1934 and in 1941 became the Singaporean division of the Malayan Volunteer Reserve during
World War II.
In 1948 the Malayan Force was raised by the Singaporean government and was later granted the title of the Royal Malayan Navy in 1952 in recognition of its services in action during the
Malayan Emergency.
On
16 September 1963, Singapore was admitted as a state of
Malaysia under the terms of confederation and the Royal Malayan Navy was renamed the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). The Singapore division of the Malayan Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was formally transferred from the command of the Royal Navy to the RMN on
22 September 1963, becoming the Singapore Volunteer Force (SVF).
On
9 August 1965, Singapore seceded from Malaysia to form an independent and sovereign nation within the
Commonwealth. The following year on
22 January 1966, the SVF was renamed the Singapore Naval Volunteer Force (SNVF).
On
5 May 1967, the SNVF
ensign was hoisted for the first time. A few months later in September, the SNVF was renamed the People's Defence (Sea) under the Sea Defence Command (SDC).
The SDC was renamed the Maritime Command (MC) in 1968, which is the predecessor of the RSN. The MC then went on an expansion program to carry out its seaward defence more effectively.
The RSN came into being on
1 April 1975, when the SAF established its component forces into three distinct services.
[2]
Organisation
The RSN is led by the Chief of Navy (CNV). The current CNV is
Rear Admiral (one star) Chew Men Leong and he is responsible for the RSN's overall operational capabilities and administration. The CNV reports directly to the Chief of Defence Force, a three-star general. The organisation chart below shows the administrative chain of command with five
formations: the Fleet, Coastal Command,
Naval Diving Unit, Naval Logistics Command and Training Command.
[3]
Current Fleet
Submarines
In 1995, the RSN acquired a ''Challenger'' class (formerly known as ''Sjöormen'' class)
submarine from the
Swedish Navy and another three in 1997, making them Singapore's first underwater platforms.
[4] As the submarines were designed by the Swedish for operations in the Baltic Sea, various modifications were required to suit them to tropical waters. A comprehensive tropicalisation programme was carried out for all four submarines, which involves installing air conditioning, marine growth protection systems and corrosion-resistant piping.
[5]
Singapore's
Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has signed an agreement with
Kockums for the supply of two
''Västergötland'' class submarines to the RSN on 4 November 2005.
[6] Currently in reserve with the Swedish Navy, the submarines will be transferred to the RSN on completion of the modernisation and conversion for operation in tropical waters. The submarines are expected to enter service from 2010 and will replace some of the ''Challenger'' class submarines. It is believed that the ''Challenger'' class and ''Västergötland'' class were purchased to develop the required submarine operations expertise before selecting a modern class of submarines to replace them, since all the boats are over 25 years old.
[7] The four submarines form the 171 Squadron of the RSN.
| Ships |
★ RSS ''Challenger''—commissioned 1997
★ RSS ''Conqueror''—commissioned 1999
★ RSS ''Centurion''—commissioned 1999
★ RSS ''Chieftain''—commissioned 2001 |  Launch of RSS ''Chieftain'' in Sweden
© MINDEF |
| Length | 51 metres |
| Beam | 6.1 metres |
| Displacement | 1130 tonnes surfaced, 1200 tonnes submerged |
| Crew | 28 |
| Speed | 10 knots (19 km/h) surfaced, 16 knots (30 km/h) submerged |
| Weapons | torpedoes |
Frigates
The ''Formidable class'' multi-role stealth frigates are the latest platforms to enter into service with the RSN, and are multi-mission derivatives of the
French Navy’s
''La Fayette'' class frigate.
[8] The frigates are key information nodes and fighting units, and are ''“by far the most advanced surface combatants in Southeast Asia"''.
[9]
The frigates will be equipped with
Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters, an international derivative of the
United States Navy SH-60B Seahawk. The MINDEF signed a contract with
Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation in January 2005 to acquire six of these helicopters, which will be organic to the frigates. These naval helicopters are equipped with anti-surface and anti-submarine combat systems, extending the ship’s own surveillance and over-the-horizon targeting and anti-submarine warfare capabilities. The naval helicopters will be raised as a squadron in the Republic of Singapore Air Force and piloted by air force pilots, but the system operators will be from the RSN. The naval helicopters are projected for delivery between 2008 and 2010.
[10]
The lead ship of the class, RSS ''Formidable'' was commissioned on
5 May 2007, marking the 40th year of the RSN. The remaining frigates will be fully operational by 2009 and will replace the RSN’s missile gunboats, which have been in service for more than 30 years. The six ships form the 185 Squadron of the Navy.
| Ships |
★ RSS ''Formidable'' (68)—commissioned 2007
★ RSS ''Intrepid'' (69)—launched 2004
★ RSS ''Steadfast'' (70)—launched 2005
★ RSS ''Tenacious'' (71)—launched 2005
★ RSS ''Stalwart'' (72)—launched 2005
★ RSS ''Supreme'' (73)—launched 2006 | |
| Length | 114.8 metres |
| Beam | 16.3 metres |
| Displacement | 3200 tonnes |
| Crew | 70, excluding air attachment of about 15 |
| Speed | 27 knots (50 km/h) |
| Weapons |
★ Boeing Harpoon anti-ship missiles
★ MBDA Aster 15 surface-to-air missiles
★ Oto Melara 76 mm gun
★ Eurotorp A244/S Mod 3 torpedoes |
Corvettes
In 1983, the RSN ordered six ''Victory'' class
corvettes from
Fredrich Lürssen Werft of Germany. The first corvette was built in Germany while the remaining five were built locally by ST Marine. The corvettes were also the first class of ships in the RSN to have an anti-submarine capability.
[11] The corvettes are noted for their tall mast, making them top-heavy compared to ships of similar class. However, this is suitable within the fairly calm Singapore waters. The six corvettes form the 188 Squadron of the RSN.
| Ships |
★ RSS ''Victory'' (88)—commissioned 1990
★ RSS ''Valour'' (89)—commissioned 1990
★ RSS ''Vigilance'' (90)—commissioned 1990
★ RSS ''Valiant'' (91)—commissioned 1991
★ RSS ''Vigour'' (92)—commissioned 1991
★ RSS ''Vengeance'' (93)—commissioned 1991 |  RSS ''Victory'' arrives in Darwin Harbour for Exercise Singaroo 2004 © Commonwealth of Australia |
| Length | 62 metres |
| Beam | 8.5 metres |
| Displacement | 600 tonnes |
| Crew | 46 |
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h) |
| Weapons |
★ Harpoon missile anti-ship missiles
★ Rafael Barak anti-missile missiles
★ Oto Melara 76 mm gun
★ Eurotorp A244/S Mod 3 torpedoes |
Missile gunboats
The ''Sea Wolf'' class of missile gunboats were acquired in 1968, based on the TNC 45 design from Fredrich Lürssen Werft. The first two gunboats were constructed in Germany, while the remaining four were constructed locally by ST Marine (then known as Singapore Shipbuilding and Engineering). As new technology became available, these gunboats underwent a number of upgrading programmes in the 1980s and 1990s to increase their strike capability and sophistication.
[12] These gunboats are approaching the end of their operational life and are due to be replaced by the new frigates. The six gunboats form the 185 Squadron of the RSN.
| Ships |
★ RSS ''Sea Wolf'' (P76)—commissioned 1975
★ RSS ''Sea Lion'' (P77)—commissioned 1975
★ RSS ''Sea Dragon'' (P78)—commissioned 1975
★ RSS ''Sea Tiger'' (P79)—commissioned 1976
★ RSS ''Sea Hawk'' (P80)—commissioned 1976
★ RSS ''Sea Scorpion'' (P81)—commissioned 1976 | |
| Length | 45 metres |
| Beam | 6.5 metres |
| Displacement | 270 tonnes |
| Crew | 40 |
| Speed | 30 knots (56 km/h) |
| Weapons |
★ Harpoon anti-ship missiles
★ Gabriel surface missiles
★ Mistral surface-to-air missiles
★ Bofors 57 mm gun |
Patrol vessels
The ''Fearless'' class of patrol vessels were built locally by ST Marine to replace the older coastal patrol crafts, which were transferred to the Police Coast Guard. The first six vessels of the class are armed for
anti-submarine warfare missions, and were placed under the command of the Fleet as 189 Squadron upon commission. In January 2003, RSS ''Courageous'' was badly damaged in a collision with a container ship in the Singapore Straits.
[13] In January 2005, 189 Squadron was transferred to the Coastal Command from the Fleet, and the twelve ships now form the 182/189 Squadron.
[14]
| Ships |
★ RSS ''Fearless'' (94)—commissioned 1996
★ RSS ''Brave'' (95)—commissioned 1996
★ RSS ''Courageous''
★ (96)—commissioned 1996
★ RSS ''Gallant'' (97)—commissioned 1997
★ RSS ''Daring'' (98)—commissioned 1997
★ RSS ''Dauntless'' (99)—commissioned 1997
★ RSS ''Resilience'' (82)—commissioned 1998
★ RSS ''Unity'' (83)—commissioned 1998
★ RSS ''Sovereignty'' (84)—commissioned 1998
★ RSS ''Justice'' (85)—commissioned 1998
★ RSS ''Freedom'' (86)—commissioned 1998
★ RSS ''Independence'' (87)—commissioned 1998 |  RSS ''Resilience'' at sea |
| Length | 55 metres |
| Beam | 8.6 metres |
| Displacement | 500 tonnes |
| Crew | 30 |
| Speed | 20 knots (37 km/h) |
| Weapons |
★ Mistral surface-to-air missiles
★ Oto Melara 76 mm gun
★ Eurotorp A244/S Mod 3 torpedoes (first six ships)
★ CIS 50 12.7 mm machine guns |
Amphibious transport docks
The
''Endurance'' class amphibious transport docks are the biggest class of ships in the RSN. They were designed and built locally by ST Marine to replace the old ''County'' class
tank landing ships (LST). Each ship is fitted with a well dock which can accommodate four landing crafts, as well as a flight deck which can accommodate two medium lift helicopters.
[15] While the RSN describes the ''Endurance'' class as LSTs, they lack the beaching capability traditionally associated with LSTs and their well docks and flight decks qualifies the ''Endurance'' class more as amphibious transport docks.
The ships provide sea transportation for personnel and equipment for SAF's overseas training, as well as a training platform for RSN's midshipmen. RSS ''Endurance'' became the first RSN ship to
circumnavigate the globe when it participated in the 2000
International Naval Review in
New York City.
[16] The ships are also actively involved in humanitarian and disaster relief operations, notably in East Timor, the Persian Gulf and the
tsunami-hit Indonesian province of Aceh. The four ships form the 191 Squadron of the RSN.
| Ships |
★ RSS ''Endurance'' (207)—commissioned 2000
★ RSS ''Resolution'' (208)—commissioned 2000
★ RSS ''Persistence'' (209)—commissioned 2001
★ RSS ''Endeavour'' (210)—commissioned 2001 |  RSS ''Endurance'' during IMDEX 2001
© Jane's  RSS ''Endurance'', RSS ''Persistence'' and RSS ''Endeavour'' in Meulaboh, Indonesia as part of 2004 Indian Ocean tsunami humanitarian relief efforts
© MINDEF |
| Length | 141 metres |
| Beam | 21 metres |
| Displacement | 6000 tonnes |
| Crew | 65 |
| Speed | 15 to 20 knots (28 to 37 km/h) |
| Weapons |
★ Mistral surface-to-air missiles
★ Oto Melara 76 mm gun
★ CIS 50 12.7 mm machine guns |
Mine countermeasures vessels
The RSN acquired mine countermeasure capabilities as early as 1975, when the USN's USS ''Thrasher'' and USS ''Whippoorwill'' were reactivated by the RSN's engineers and technicians in California. The ''Bluebird'' class coastal minesweepers were commissioned as RSS ''Jupiter'' and RSS ''Mercury''.
[17]
These two ships were eventually replaced by the ''Bedok'' class
mine countermeasures vessels. The first ship, RSS ''Bedok'', was built by Karlskronavarvet in Sweden based on the ''Landsort'' class design. The remaining three ships were prefabricated in Sweden and transferred to Singapore for final assembly by ST Marine. The ships are constructed of glass reinforced plastic to maintain low magnetic and acoustic signatures. The ships form the 194 Squadron of the RSN.
| Ships |
★ RSS ''Bedok'' (M105)—commissioned 1995
★ RSS ''Kallang'' (M106)—commissioned 1995
★ RSS ''Katong'' (M107)—commissioned 1995
★ RSS ''Punggol'' (M108)—commissioned 1995 | |
| Length | 47.5 metres |
| Beam | 9.6 metres |
| Displacement | 360 tonnes |
| Crew | 28 |
| Speed | 15 knots (28 km/h) |
| Weapons |
★ Bofors 40 mm gun
★ ECA PAP 104 Mk 4 mine disposal vehicles
★ CIS 50 12.7 mm machine guns |
Bases
Tuas Naval Base
Tuas Naval Base (TNB) is the second naval base in the RSN's history. Located at the western tip of Singapore, it occupies 0.28 km² (0.11 mi²) of land. It was officially opened on
2 September 1994 by the second prime minister
Goh Chok Tong.
For about two decades, Brani Naval Base was the RSN's only base. An expansion of the fleet in the early 1980s meant that more space was needed for the fleet and its shore infrastructure. However, this was not possible as the land around Brani was reserved for use by the port authority to develop container facilities.
[18] As a result, Tuas was selected as the site for a second naval base.
Better utilisation of space at TNB resulted in two and a half times more berthing space than Brani, even though TNB only has a shoreline of 850 m (0.5 mi). Provision was also made for recreational facilities. Automation was incorporated into the design of TNB to reduce manpower requirements, such as mechanical ramps for the loading and unloading of vehicles and an automatic storage and retrieval system. It also has a floating dock which can lift 600 tonnes and transfer a ship from sea to land to facilitate repairs and maintenance.
[19]
Currently, the missile corvettes, patrol vessels and mine counter-measures vessels are based at TNB.
Changi Naval Base
Changi Naval Base (CNB) is the latest naval facility of the RSN and was built to replace Brani Naval Base. Located on 1.28 km² (0.50 mi²) of
reclaimed land at the eastern tip of Singapore, it was officially opened on
21 May 2004 by Goh Chok Tong.
Its 6.2 km (3.9 mi) berthing space can accommodate an aircraft carrier and is often used by visiting ships of the USN.
[20]
Automation was incorporated into the design of CNB to reduce manpower requirements. It has an automated underground ammunition depot that allows ammunition to be loaded onto the ships and an automated warehouse system to store items. The base has a fibre optic broadband network for information management. The base was also designed to be environment-friendly, with small-scale wind turbines powering the lights along the breakwaters at night. Conventional roof construction materials were substituted by thin film solar panels and the solar energy generated lights the base. In addition, seawater is used in the air-conditioning system.
[21]
Currently, the submarines, frigates, amphibious transport docks and missile gunboats are based at CNB.
In popular culture
===Fictional
television programs===
★ ''
Navy'' (壮志豪情),
1990
References
1. Defending the Lion City, Huxley, Tim, , , Allen & Unwin, 2001, ISBN 1-86508-118-3
2. History
3. Organisation Structure
4. Challenger
5. Submarine Tropicalisation Programme
6. Kockums receives Singapore order to two submarines
7. The Republic of Singapore Navy
8. Formidable Frigate
9. Singapore’s Navy Cruises Toward Blue-Water Force Wendell Minnick
10. Republic of Singapore Navy Acquires Six New Naval Helicopters
11. 1988 - RSN's Missile Corvettes
12. 1975 - Missile Gunboats
13. One dead in naval collision
14. COSCOM Expands
15. Characteristics of the ''Endurance'' class LST
16. Speech by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence, on the Occasion of the Commissioning Ceremony for the RSN Landing Ship Tank, RSS Endurance & RSS Resolution Held on Saturday, 18 March 2000 at 10:00 AM at Tuas Naval Base
17. Safe in my wake
18. Tuas Naval Base
19. Tuas Naval Base
20. Our Bases
21. DSTA gives Changi Naval Base a 'green' edge
External links
★
Republic of Singapore Navy official website
★
Navy News - official bi-monthly publication of the RSN
★
Ministry of Defence official website
العربية
ä¸å›½
Français
Deutsch
Ελληνική
हिनà¥à¤¦à¥€
Italiano
日本語
Português
РуÑÑкий
Español
