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Singapore to buy three warships

Singapore commissioned three state-of-the art warships yesterday, further strengthening one of Asia's most modern armed forces.

The new frigates join one that entered service last year. Two others are expected to become operational next year, the Ministry of Defense said in a news release.

Under a technology transfer agreement with French shipbuilder Direction des Constructions Navales, the first ship was designed and built in France. The rest were built in Singapore, it said.

The ships possess stealth capabilities and are equipped with advanced combat systems that allow them to deal with surface, air and underwater threats, it said.

Each frigate is designed to carry a Sikorsky S-70B helicopter, which Minister of Defense Teo Chee Hean (張志賢) said would enhance their potential when the new helicopters begin arriving next year.

Each ship will carry 71 sailors and 15 air crew.

"The introduction of the frigates will provide the RSN [Republic of Singapore Navy] with a quantum leap in warfare capabilities," Teo said at their commissioning.

He said the city-state is home to the world's busiest port and sits astride important sea lanes that handle 11 million barrels of oil -- almost half of global shipments -- every day.

"Many countries will continue to depend on the sea for their economic well-being and the livelihoods of their citizens," Teo said. "Safeguarding our sea lines of communications is thus a shared strategic imperative for the countries of the world."

Singapore last year increased its defense budget by 5.3 percent to an estimated S$10.58 billion (US$7.48 billion).
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