Victory class corvette
Encyclopedia
The Victory class missile corvette
s are multi-purpose ships based on the MGB 62 design by Germany
's Lürssen
shipyard for the Republic of Singapore Navy
(RSN). The six ships were commissioned between 1990 and 1991 and form the 188 Squadron of the RSN.
in 1983. The first, RSS Victory, was built and launched in Germany while the remaining five were built locally by Singapore Shipbuilding & Engineering (now Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine). The corvettes, equipped with sonar and torpedoes, were the first class of ship in the RSN to have anti-submarine capabilities.
In 1996, the corvettes were fitted with two sets of 8-cell Barak I launchers, a second fire control radar on the platform aft of the mast and an optronic director on the bridge roof. Rudder roll stabilisation was also retrofitted to improve sea-keeping qualities.
In 2009, it was announced that the corvettes would undergo a Life Extension Programme. On 23 August 2011, the upgraded RSS Valiant conducted a live-firing exercise of its Barak missile, while on Exercise CARAT
with the United States Navy
.
Corvette
A corvette is a small, maneuverable, lightly armed warship, originally smaller than a frigate and larger than a coastal patrol craft or fast attack craft , although many recent designs resemble frigates in size and role...
s are multi-purpose ships based on the MGB 62 design by Germany
Germany
Germany , officially the Federal Republic of Germany , is a federal parliamentary republic in Europe. The country consists of 16 states while the capital and largest city is Berlin. Germany covers an area of 357,021 km2 and has a largely temperate seasonal climate...
's Lürssen
Lürssen
Lürssen is a German shipbuilding company based in Bremen-Vegesack.Lürssen designs and constructs yachts, naval ships and special vessels...
shipyard for the Republic of Singapore Navy
Republic of Singapore Navy
The Republic of Singapore Navy is the naval component of the Singapore Armed Forces , responsible for the defence of Singapore against sea-borne threats and protection of its sea lines of communications. Operating within the crowded littoral waters of the Singapore Strait, the RSN is regarded as...
(RSN). The six ships were commissioned between 1990 and 1991 and form the 188 Squadron of the RSN.
History
In the 1960s and 1970s, the RSN was primarily concerned with coast guard duties. From the late 1970s, however, pressure from senior naval officers led to planning for expanded naval responsibilities and capabilities. Singapore’s growing regional trade led to a top-level review of the RSN’s mission, when the navy was assigned the role of defending Singapore's sea lines of communication (SLOCs). As part of a subsequent expansion programme, the RSN ordered a squadron of missile corvettes from Fredrich Lürssen WerftLürssen
Lürssen is a German shipbuilding company based in Bremen-Vegesack.Lürssen designs and constructs yachts, naval ships and special vessels...
in 1983. The first, RSS Victory, was built and launched in Germany while the remaining five were built locally by Singapore Shipbuilding & Engineering (now Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine). The corvettes, equipped with sonar and torpedoes, were the first class of ship in the RSN to have anti-submarine capabilities.
In 1996, the corvettes were fitted with two sets of 8-cell Barak I launchers, a second fire control radar on the platform aft of the mast and an optronic director on the bridge roof. Rudder roll stabilisation was also retrofitted to improve sea-keeping qualities.
In 2009, it was announced that the corvettes would undergo a Life Extension Programme. On 23 August 2011, the upgraded RSS Valiant conducted a live-firing exercise of its Barak missile, while on Exercise CARAT
Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training
The Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training is a series of annual bilateral military exercises conducted by United States Pacific Fleet with several member nations of ASEAN in Southeast Asia. Currently, the navies of Bangledesh, Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines,...
with the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
.
Vessels
| Name | Pennant number | Launched | Commissioned |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSS Victory | 88 | 8 June 1988 | 18 August 1990 |
| RSS Valour | 89 | 10 December 1988 | 18 August 1990 |
| RSS Vigilance | 90 | 27 April 1989 | 18 August 1990 |
| RSS Valiant | 91 | 22 July 1989 | 25 May 1991 |
| RSS Vigour | 92 | 1 December 1989 | 25 May 1991 |
| RSS Vengeance | 93 | 23 December 1990 | 25 May 1991 |