Maritime Security Vessel News Roundup | July 25 – Singapore’s newest submarine, Hellenic Navy frigate construction and more

The US Navy commissions a new littoral combat ship as the US Coast Guard and the Republic of Singapore Navy take delivery of a fast cutter and a submarine, respectively. Construction has meanwhile begun on the third frigate in a series ordered by the Hellenic Navy.

Republic of Singapore Navy welcomes second submarine in class

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) recently took delivery of its second Invincible-class diesel-electric submarine, the future RSS Impeccable.

The submarine is one of a class of four being built for the RSN by German naval shipbuilder ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems. Class lead boat future RSS Invincible remains in Germany to support the training of crews.

Both Invincible and Impeccable are scheduled to be commissioned before the end of the year.

US Navy littoral combat ship Canberra commissioned into service

The US Navy commissioned its newest Independence-variant littoral combat ship (LCS) into service in a ceremony in Sydney, Australia, on Saturday, July 22.

USS Canberra is the second US Navy ship to be named in honour of Australia’s capital city. It is also the 15th Independence-class LCS to be built by Austal USA since 2010.

Measuring 418 by 104 feet (127.4 by 31.6 metres), the LCS can reach speeds of up to 43 knots. Its armament includes a BAE Systems 57-millimetre naval gun, four 12.7-millimetre machine guns, and RIM-116 surface-to-air missiles.

Canberra will be homeported in San Diego along with its other Independence-class sisters.

US Coast Guard takes delivery of 54th fast response cutter

The US Coast Guard has taken delivery of its 54th Sentinel-class fast response cutter, the future USCGC William Sparling.

Built by Bollinger Shipyards of Louisiana, the cutter honours Boatswain’s Mate Second Class William Sparling, a US Coast Guard boat coxswain who was decorated for his actions during the American landings at Guadalcanal in World War II.

As with its Sentinel-class sisters, the 154-foot (46.8-metre) William Sparling is designed for multiple missions including drug and migrant interdiction, ports, waterways and coastal security, fishery patrols, and search and rescue (SAR). Armament includes a 25mm autocannon and four 12.7mm machine guns.

First steel cut for future Hellenic Navy frigate

French shipbuilder the Naval Group has cut the first steel to be used in the construction of a new frigate for the Hellenic Navy.

The ship will be the third in a series that is itself based on the defence and intervention frigates (Fregate de Defense et d’Intervention; FDI) being built by the Naval Group for the French Navy.

The FDI HN frigates will each have a displacement of 4,500 tonnes, a length of approximately 122 metres, a beam of 18 metres, and a maximum speed of 27 knots. Armament will include surface-to-air missiles, anti-ship missiles, torpedoes, and a 76-millimetre naval gun.