On December 14 2023, ST Engineering announced that its subsidiary ST Engineering Marine Ltd has secured a contract with the Singapore Ministry of Defence for the mid-life upgrade of the Formidable-class frigates for the Republic of Singapore Navy. Naval Group, as ST Engineering sub-contractor, will be continuing the partnership the two companies have started in 2000 with the Formidable-class frigates construction programme. Through this contract signed with ST Engineering Marine Ltd, Naval Group is proud to continue its cooperation with our partner, to serve the Singapore Navy.

Naval Group has a deep understanding of the Formidable frigates, as the Group has built the first vessel in the Formidable-class series on the Lorient shipyard in France. The other five were built locally by the ST Engineering shipyard, in accordance with the major transfer of technology agreement, a testimony of the strong partnership between the two companies. To achieve this project, Naval Group will work closely with Naval Group Far East, its subsidiary in Singapore who is already supporting the Singaporean Navy and ST Engineering in project management, maintenance and supply chain.

The Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigates are multi-mission derivatives of the French Navy’s La Fayette-class frigate with the Republic of Singapore Navy. The six ships form the First Flotilla of the Navy. Radar cross section (RCS) reduction features have been incorporated into the Formidable class design, with inclined hull sides and bulwarks as well as concealment of ship boats and replenishment-at-sea equipment behind low-RCS curtains. The frigates are equipped with Boeing Harpoon missiles and Oto Melara 76 mm guns for surface defence. The Harpoon missile has a range of 130 km (70 nmi) and uses active radar guidance.

Naval Group Far East is a 100% subsidiary of Naval Group created in 2005, following the delivery of the Formidable frigates to the Singaporean navy. Naval Group Far East is composed of a team of 50 specialists in project management, maintenance, logistics and supply chain support. In addition to the initial support of the maintenance program for the RSN’s Formidable-class frigates, the scope has expanded including new services with a focus on coastal maritime security and support for French Navy operations in the region and innovation with Naval Group Singaporean Center of Excellence.