Singapore creates new naval unit, returns retired Fearless-class as Sentinel-class response vessels

 

Sea assets of the new Maritime Security and Response Flotilla. Photo c/o Republic of Singapore Navy.


The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has inaugurated a new naval unit called the Maritime and Security Response Flotilla (MSRF), during ceremonies held at Changi Naval Base on 26 January 2021.


The new unit will be protecting Singapore’s territorial waters, and respond to expanded maritime security threats and incidents which have grown in scale and complexity over time. 


Among those identified threats by the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) were sea robbery, and intrusions into Singapore territorial waters.


The MSRF will be receiving new Maritime Security and Response Vessels (MSRV) in the future, as these ships are still in the concept design stage, with emphasis on operating at sea a few weeks, lean manning requirements, and modular capabilities. 


In the meantime, the MSRF will receive four (4) Sentinel-class Maritime Security and Response Vessels (MSRV) and two (2) Maritime Security and Response Tugboats (MSRT) as its initial sea assets. The first two Sentinel-class ships, the MSRV Sentinel and MSRV Guardian, were declared operational on 26 January 2021, while two more ships, the MSRV Protector and MSRV Bastion will be commissioned in the next few months.


The Sentinel-class were formerly Fearless-class patrol vessels of the RSN, which were decommissioned after being replaced with the new Independence-class Littoral Missions Vessels. The ships were refurbished and improved to suit their new mission and fitted with new equipment.


The Sentinel-class retained the Oto Melara 76mm naval gun of the Fearless-class, but were re-equipped with a 25mm Typhoon remote controlled weapon station, 7.62mm machine guns, Long Range Acoustic Device (LRAD) and Laser Dazzler System, improved bridge ballistic protection, and fenders to enable them to go alongside vessels of interest quickly.




[1] Pioneer – Singapore MINDEF

[2] Channel News Asia 

[3] Naval News


Singapore creates new naval unit, returns retired Fearless-class as Sentinel-class response vessels Singapore creates new naval unit, returns retired Fearless-class as Sentinel-class response vessels Reviewed by Asia Pacific Defense Journal on January 29, 2021 Rating: 5

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