Following Pete’s article there were 2 major comments on July 2, 2020, regarding Singapore’s proposed Multi-Role Combat Vessel (MRCV). Singapore hopes the MRCV will be operational by 2027 - so the selection process must occur quickly.
1. retortPouch commented:
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retortPouch and Shawn C
1. retortPouch commented:
“Right now, our best bet is that the MRCV will be a derivative of the STMarine Vanguard 130 in diagram below:
Concept diagram of STMarine Vanguard 130 derivative. (Diagram courtesy European Defence Review (EDR) Online May 23, 2019 https://www.edrmagazine.eu/imdex-19-st-engineering-unveils-latest-vanguard-combatant-variant)
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Damen also advertised its Crossover 139 vessel for the requirement at the International Maritime Defence Exhibition held in Singapore, May 14-16, 2019 abbreviated IMDEX Asia 2019, but I'm not sure if the tender has been issued for competition yet.
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Mothership concept. (Diagram courtesy Rafa Estrada, ST Engineering and UMS Skeldar via Channel News Asia May 19, 2019).
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The MRCV is not intended to be a classic frigate, but rather a distributed warfare "mothership", deploying [Unmanned Aerial Systems] UAS, UUVs, and [Unmanned Surface Vessels] USVs. The Belharra/FDI frigates do not appear to be structurally optimised to deploy the offboard warfare systems necessary.
See: https://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/singapore/mothership-navy-submarine-hunter-recon-leader-unmanned-systems-11542998especially the tweeted video [by scrolling a 6th way down].
The 6 Formidable class frigates need to undergo a [Mid-Life Update] MLU soon. retortPouch personally hopes the Herakles[radar systems] will be replaced by the [SEA FIRE all-digital multi-function radar].
There is also indication that the Harpoon 1B fit were always considered an interim solution: https://peacethoughstrength.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html:
There is also indication that the Harpoon 1B fit were always considered an interim solution: https://peacethoughstrength.blogspot.com/2008_09_01_archive.html:
"During the Naval Platform Technology Seminar held in Singapore in 2004, Singapore’s Permanent Secretary (Defence) Peter Ho hinted that the Harpoon missile was considered an interim fit, stating that,” these third-generation platforms (Formidable class frigates) must eventually be upgraded and armed with a new generation of anti-ship missiles that can defeat the most advanced defences"."
Strange as it sounds, the tiny corvette sized frigates were said to be designed with spare space and capacity for future upgrades. It is said to be a very cramped vessel to live in.
3 minutes 35seconds into above Video https://youtu.be/H4wuQQbKy_8Hervé Boy, Naval Group’s Surface Ship Marketing Manager, describes Naval Group’s Belharra Frigate design. This was at IMDEX Asia 2019.
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“Just to add:
I’m personally unsure as to what the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) will pick, though the close timeline is a big hint that it should be an existing ship design customised to the RSN’s requirements.
We do know it will have extensive unmanned control and handling facilities, to operate at least two UAVs, two UUVs and two USVs (simultaneously?) and act as a data node for off-board sensors (probably controlling Heron MALE UAVs). Though Singapore’s increasing naval reach indicates a more expeditionary approach for Fleet units for [Sea Lines of Communication] SLOC patrols (Shawn C wonders why).
Under the recent RSN organisational change [here?]181 squadron, operating the 500-ton Victory-class missile corvettes are under Fleet, not [Maritime Security] MARSEC (Independence-class LMVs for example), so their replacements will not be designed for just ‘local’ operations.
Shawn C has three guesses [what design Singapore will choose for the Multi-Role Combat Vessel]:
1. The modified Belh@rra class [aka Belharra frigate] locally built with close Naval Group cooperation, since they now have an R and D centre in Singapore
2. The larger ST Vanguard derivative with [Naval Group formerly DCNS] inputs, because the Vanguard 130 variant looks crammed to the gills
3. [Making a] Wild Guess and personal favourite, the British Type 26 frigate with SEA FIRE radar, and a 127mm [5-inch] main gun.
retortPouch and Shawn C