Singapore decommissions three Fearless-class patrol vessels

Only two more Fearless-class patrol vessels remain operational after the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) decommissioned three ships in the class on August 27.

RSS Fearless, RSS Brave and RSS Dauntless were decommissioned at Tuas Naval Base in a ceremony officiated by Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lew Chuen Hong.

Fearless and Brave entered service in 1996 while Dauntless joined in 1997.

The two ships in the class remaining in service include RSS Freedom and RSS Gallant.

The retirement of the three vessels is part of a process that will see RSN switch to larger and more modern littoral mission vessels, all eight of which are in the water as of January 2019.

Singapore started the LMV program in 2013 with the aim of replacing Fearless-class vessels. The LMVs are expected to be fully operational by 2020.