Name Fearless Succeeded by Independence class | Preceded by Swift class Completed 12 | |
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Builders ST Engineering (Marine) Operators Republic of Singapore Navy
Royal Navy of Oman | ||
The Fearless-class patrol vessels were built by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine for the Republic of Singapore Navy in the 1990s. Together, the ships formed the 182 and 189 Squadron.
On 30 January 2013, MINDEF awarded ST Engineering a contract for the design and build of eight new vessels to replace the Fearless-class patrol vessels. ST Engineering announced that the group’s marine arm, ST Marine will build the eight vessels at its Singapore Benoi Yard. While the group’s electronics arm, ST Electronics, will supply the core combat systems and combat system integration solutions. ST Marine will carry out the platform system integration as the lead system integrator. The first vessel is expected to be delivered in 2016 and all eight vessels will be fully operational by 2020.
History
The Fearless-class patrol vessels were ordered as replacements for the earlier Swift-class coastal patrol crafts after they had been transferred to the Police Coast Guard. The contract was awarded to ST Marine on 27 February 1993. The first six vessels are fitted for anti-submarine warfare, while the remainder are configured as patrol vessels.
In 1996, the Defence Science Technology Agency project team leading the patrol vessel project was awarded the Defence Technology Prize.
On 3 January 2003, RSS Courageous was badly damaged in a collision with a container ship in the Singapore Strait. The ship has since been stricken from the navy list.
In January 2005, 189 Squadron was transferred to the Coastal Command from the Fleet, and the 11 ships now form the 182 and 189 Squadron.
In April 2012, ST Marine was awarded a contract by the Ministry of Defence of the Oman to build four 75-metre (246 ft) patrol vessels based on the Fearless class. The vessels are expected to be delivered as the Al-Ofouq class between 2015 and 2016.