Shawn C, offine, has kindly drawn my attention to Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) News Release:
Singapore Navy Inaugurates Maritime Security and Response Flotilla to Strengthen Maritime Security Capabilities of January 26, 2021, which advises:
"The new flotilla will add capacity and build capabilities to protect Singapore's territorial waters and respond to expanded maritime security threats. The MSRF will be equipped with new purpose-built ships. As a start, the flotilla will operate four Sentinel-class Maritime Security and Response Vessels (MSRVs) and two Maritime Security and Response Tugboats (MSRTs) to enable more calibrated responses."
It carries Fact Sheet Response Flotilla to Enhance Maritime Security. of January 26, 2021.
Shawn C commented offline:
“My thoughts:
The Singapore Maritime Security and Response Flotilla (MSRF) begins with four ex-Fearless class patrol vessels (PVs), which have been renamed Sentinal-class [Sentinel-class table below from the Fact Sheet]
Some of their original names have been
'recycled' with the Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessels (LMVs). See the included
infographics.
Infographic: Maritime Security and Response Flotilla courtesy MINDEF January 26, 2021.---
Shawn actually wondered why, when the LMVs were announced, they had new build 76mm Oto Melera guns, instead of refurbishing and refitting the ones from the PVs, and though it was so that the retired PVs could be sold on. The new 'Sentinal-class' look like they have a new 25mm RWS [like this?], LRAD?? plus additional armour, but no longer carry anti-ship missiles (ASMs).
It was previously announced that 'purpose-built security vessels' would operate from 2026, which may indicate that the planned (and mysterious) multi-role combat vessel (MRCV) build has been pushed back. In 2019 it was reported that they would enter service from 2027, while in June 2020 a MINDEF fact stated 'six MRCVs expected to be delivered by 2030.' see https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/mindef/news-and-events/latest-releases/article-detail/2020/June/29jun20_fs5 "
Pete Comment
Will the mysterious MRCVs (a ship size larger than the MSRVs and two ship sizes larger than the Tugboats) rise again in MINDEF-Singapore Navy plans!?
Saw the updated organisational structure.
ReplyDeletehttps://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&rct=j&url=https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/navy/about/organisational-structure/&ved=2ahUKEwj1hMm7x8PuAhURbn0KHTUlCvAQFjALegQICxAB&usg=AOvVaw1SH0dmRBXkFHQX61R1QM85
The Maritime Security & Response Flotilla seems to indicate a major change in the duties of Republic of Singapore Naval units, as the former nearshore patrol units, the 500ton Fearless PVs, have been fully replaced by the Independence LMVs which three times their size.
ReplyDeleteWith the return of the retired 'PVs' as 'MSRVs' (Maritime Security Response Vessels, and yes, someone in Singapore's Defense Ministry has a love of creating new acronyms: MSRV, MRCV, JMMS) the nearshore security role has re-assumed priority, primarily due to the rise in sea robberies in local waters, with 34 attempts in 2020 in the Singapore Straits (https://www.straitstimes.com/singapore/piracy-cases-in-singapore-strait-hit-5-year-high-form-majority-of-cases-in-asia-waters-in).
There was three attempted robberies last week in the Singapore Straits (https://www.maritime-executive.com/article/recaap-reports-three-attempted-robberies-in-the-singapore-strait).
The majority of these cases are robberies, but there has been hijackings in the Malacca Straits and off the East coast of Peninsula Malaysia.
The introduction of the Sentinel class would indicate an increased naval presence around the waters off Singapore, with naval units backing up Coast Guard vessels with greater 'in-the-area' firepower and sensing, while the LMVs could be re-tasked with SLORC patrol duties, specifically the Malacca Straits (https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/defence-news/2020/january/7930-singapore-hosts-14th-malacca-straits-patrol-joint-coordinating-committee-meeting.html), but probably to patrol the shipping routes that lead from Singapore to the Natuna Islands.
Hi Benjamin
ReplyDeleteThanks for the Singapore Navy's Updated Organisation Structure chart - at shortened string https://www.mindef.gov.sg/web/portal/navy/about/organisational-structure/
Despite its high faluting name the "Maritime Security & Response Flotilla" looks like a small cog in the machine.
Regards
Pete