Republic of Singapore Navy - Definition and Overview

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) is the navy of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). The RSN came into being in 1975 when the SAF established its component forces into three distinct services, and it is responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and to protect its sea lines of communications. All commissioned ships of the RSN start with RSS, meaning "Republic of Singapore Ship".

History

The RSN traces its origins from 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 became the Singapore division of the Malayan Volunteer Reserve during World War II in 1941.

In 1948, the Malayan Force was raised by the Singapore Government and was later granted the title of Royal Malayan Navy in 1952 in recognition of its services in action during the Malayan emergency.

On 16 February 1963, Singapore became a state of Malaysia and the Royal Malayan Navy was renamed the Royal Malaysian Navy (RMN). On 22 September 1963, the Singapore division of the Malayan Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve was formally transferred from the command of the Royal Navy to the RMN, becoming the Singapore Volunteer Force (SVF).

On 9 August 1965, Singapore separated 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, marking the first step towards the formation of the Singapore Navy. A few months later in September, the SNVF was renamed 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 programme 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.

Source: Republic of Singapore Navy website - History (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/navy/profile.html)

Organisation

The RSN is led by the Chief of Navy (CNV). The current CNV is RADM Ronnie Tay 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.

                                                        CNV
                                                         |
                       Chief of Staff - Naval Staff -----| 
                                                         |
                                             HQ RSN -----|
                                                         |
                  _______________________________________|________________________________
                  |                   |                  |              |                |
                Fleet          Naval Logistics     Costal Command    Training       Naval Diving
     _____________|___________     Command               |           Command            Unit
     |            |          |                           |              |                |
    1st          3rd         |                           |              |                |
   __|__    ______|______    |                       ____|____       ___|___       ______|______
   |   |    |     |     |    |                       |   |   |       |     |       |   |   |   |
  188 189  191 192/193 195  171                     181 182 194     IMW  IMOS     CDG EOD UDG Combat
                                                                                              Diving
                                                                                              Group

Source: RSN Induction Program - Organisation Chart (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/navy/induction/)

Ships

Submarines

Launch of RSS Chieftain in Sweden
&#169 MINDEF

In 1995, the RSN acquired an ex-Sjöormen class submarine from the Royal Swedish Navy and another three in 1997, making them Singapore's first underwater platforms. As the submarines were designed by the Swedish for operations in the Baltic Sea, various modifications were required to suit them for 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. The four submarines form the 171 Squadron of the RSN.

Source: Kockums website - Challenger (http://www.kockums.se/Submarines/challenger.html)

Frigates

Launch of RSS Formidable in France
&#169 MINDEF

In March 2000, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) signed a contract with Direction des Constructions Navales (DCN) of France for the construction of six frigates. The frigates are based on the French Navy’s La Fayette class frigate. The frigates are very stealthy platforms and are shaped to reduce their radar cross section. They are also highly capable multi-mission platforms, with significant anti-air, anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare capability, augmented by a ten tonne class helicopter.

The first frigate was launched in France while the remaining five are built locally by Singapore Technologies Marine (ST Marine) under a technology transfer agreement with DCN. The six new frigates will be fully operational from 2007 and will replace the RSN’s missile gunboats which have been in service for more than 30 years.

In January 2005, MINDEF announced that it has signed a contract with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation of the United States to acquire six new Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters (an international derivative of the USN SH-60B Seahawk) which will operate off these frigates. The acquisition of these naval helicopters, equipped with advanced anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare sensors and weapons, is a significant milestone in RSN's force development. The naval helicopters are projected for delivery between 2008 and 2010.

Sources:

• MINDEF website - Republic of Singapore Navy Frigate (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/weapons/frigate/)
• Sikorsky Corporation website - S-70B International SEAHAWK (http://www.sikorsky.com/details/1,,CLI1_DIV69_ETI842,00.html)

Missile corvettes

In 1983, the RSN ordered six 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. The six corvettes form the 188 Squadron of the RSN.

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. 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.

Anti-submarine patrol vessels

The Fearless class of patrol vessels were built locally by ST Marine. The first six vessels of the class are armed for anti-submarine warfare missions. In January 2003, RSS Courageous was badly damaged in a collision with a container ship in the Singapore Straits. The six ships form the 189 Squadron of the RSN.

Helicopter landing ships

RSS Endurance during IMDEX 2001
&#169 Jane's

The Endurance class helicopter landing ships 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. 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. The ships provide sea transportation for personnel and equipment for SAF's overseas training, as well as a training platform for RSN's midshipmen. The ships are also actively involved in humanitarian and disaster relief operations, notably in East Timor, the Persian Gulf and the recent tsunami-hit province of Aceh in Indonesia. The four ships form the 191 Squadron of the RSN.

Patrol vessels

The Fearless class of patrol vessels were built locally by ST Marine. The six patrol vessels form the 182 Squadron of the RSN.

Mine counter-measures vessels

The RSN operates four Landsort class mine counter-measures vessels. The first ship, RSS Bedok, was built by Karlskronavarvet in Sweden. 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.

Bases

• Tuas Naval Base
• Changi Naval Base

Related topics

• Singapore Armed Forces
• Singapore

External links

• Republic of Singapore Navy (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/navy/)
• Navy News (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/navy/navynews/)
• Ministry of Defence (http://www.mindef.gov.sg/)