Singapore- Defence Minister To Launch Navy's First New Frigate (14 Nov 2003)

Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean will launch the first of the six new frigates being developed for the Singapore Navy in France on the 7th of January. Deputy Prime Minister Tony Tan who was on a visit at the French Naval Yard on Wednesday said that the ship was in its final stages already.

French shipbuilders Direction Des Constructions Navales (DCN) is in charge of building the first ship, while Singapore Technologies Marine is working on the other five, in a combined deal reportedly worth more than US$1 billion (S$1.7 billion).

Mr. Jean-Marie Poimboeuf, chairman and chief executive of DCN said that this was a great opportunity to work with another Navy in another country, other than France.

The new frigate would be able to reach speeds of more than 25 knots and a range of 4000 nautical miles. Arsenal will include a medium-calibre naval gun, surface-to-surface missiles, anti-missile missiles, torpedoes and a helicopter. The frigates will also include stealth technology.

After the January launch, the frigates will be fitted with weapon systems before arriving in Singapore, which would be in early May 2005.

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