Formidable-class frigate

The formidable-class frigates are derivates of French La Fayette-class frigates. In march 2000, French group DCNS has been awarded the contract for the design and fabrication of six frigates. The first frigate has been built in Lorient, France, while the others have been built locally by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine.

the Formidable-class is the latest surface platform of the Republic of Singapore Navy. Six frigates have been built between 2004 and 2006: F68 Formidable, F69 Intrepid, F70 Steadfast, F71 Tenacious, F72 Stalwart, F73 Supreme. The frigates are equipped with stealth technology to complement their advanced sensor and weapons suite. They are capable of dealing with multidimensional naval threats from the air, surface or underwater. They are to be equipped with organic naval helicopters which will significantly increase their war-fighting capabilities.

A new Fire Control Radar has been installed on Tenacious. It is identified as a Thales STIR 1.2 EO Mk2 which is coupled to the OTO Melara 76/62 Super Rapido main gun and be used for long-range observation of contacts of interest with radar cold. Tenacious seems also to be equipped with a non-lethal device Long-Range Acoustic Device 500 Xtreme (LRAD 500X). In the future, all Formidable frigates should be fitted with this systems.

» Strike against land targets
» Long range patrol and surveillance
» Escort of high value assets such as Amphibious Vessels
» ASW, AAW, ASUW, EW