Fassmer’s shipyard in Berne, Germany, hosted the launch of Sentinel, the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) first offshore patrol vessel (OPV) of the Sentinel class, on Thursday, October 1.
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said the four OPVs, built specifically for the role, will strengthen the RSN’s maritime-security capability and replace its current fleet of Sentinel-class MSRVs (maritime security and response vessels).
Before departing for Singapore, Sentinel will complete acceptance checks on the platform and conduct sea trials to assess its systems and performance.
The remaining vessels, Guardian, Protector and Bastion, are being built.
The contract with Fassmer was signed in November 2023, and deliveries are due to start in 2028. The four existing MSRVs are refurbished patrol vessels that formerly served in the Fearless class; they will stay in service until the replacement ships have arrived and entered full operation.
The OPVs will operate under the Maritime Security and Response Flotilla, working alongside other government agencies’ vessels, including those of the Police Coast Guard and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore.
The new vessels are 94.85 metres long with a beam of 15.2 metres and displacement of 2,700 tonnes. They have a speed of more than 23 knots, an endurance of more than 4,000 nautical miles and a baseline crew of about 40.
The ships can carry containerised mission systems and deploy manned or unmanned craft using a system at the stern for launch and recovery.
