Formidable

The Formidable-class frigate project is being carried out under the Republic of Singapore Delta program by DCNI (DCN International) partnered with Singapore Technologies. The Delta program comprises design and building of the lead ship, RSS Formidable, by DCN in France, with the remaining 5 ships to be built locally by Singapore Technologies Marine. Formidable-class stealth frigates will replace aging missile gunboats currently owned by Singapore. The RSS Formidable was launched at Lorient in early 2004 and is scheduled to be commissioned by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) in 2005. The new frigates ordered by Singapore are stealthy ships equipped with a sophisticated combat system, while providing longer range and endurance at sea than gunboats currently owned by the RSN. The propulsion system consists of 4 MTU's diesel engines that power the ship at a maximum speed of 25 knots. Formidable-class frigates weapon system comprises one medium-weight anti-submarine/ship helicopter, the Thales Heracles multi-function radar system, up to 32 ASTER 15 anti-missile, point-defense missiles, 8 Harpoon anti-ship missiles, the EDO active low frequency towed sonar, the A244 anti-submarine torpedo, and OTO Melara 76mm Super Rapid naval gun. The six Formidable-class frigates produced under Delta program, according to official plans, should be fully operational within the Republic of Singapore Navy by 2009. On January 21, 2005, the Republic of Singapore Ministry of Defence placed an order for six new Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters to be delivered between 2008 and 2010. The helicopters were intended for use onboard Formidable-class frigates.

deagel.com: https://www.deagel.com/x/x/a000280