Fact Sheet: SAF Bolsters Naval Helicopter Fleet

The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) will bolster its Naval Helicopter (NH) fleet by acquiring two additional Sikorsky S-70B NHs to better meet the SAF's training and operational requirements.

Six Sikorsky S-70B NHs were first acquired in 2005 operating off the Formidable-class frigates. The NHs come with state-of-the-art avionics, sensors and sense-making systems. With the longer range and wider reach of the NHs, they allow the frigates to sense faster, see and shoot further. The capabilities provided by the frigates and NHs have enhanced the maritime force-level awareness and mission effectiveness of the Republic of Singapore Navy.

After its inauguration into 123 Squadron in 2011, the NHs achieved Full Operational Capability and were successfully integrated with the frigates in 2012, strengthening the anti-surface and anti-submarine warfighting capabilities of the frigates. Through the deployment of the NH for counter-piracy operations in the Gulf of Aden, the SAF have found the Sikorsky S-70B NHs to be an effective, versatile and operationally proven capability that can be utilised for a wide range of missions while operating with a wide range of platforms.

Apart from being deployed for counter-piracy operations, the NHs also participated in multi-lateral and bilateral exercises such as the Rim of Pacific Exercise and Five Power Defence Arrangements exercises.

Sikorsky S-70B

Description

Parameters

Length
19.76 metres

Weight
9.6 tonnes

Speed

About 140 knots

Sensors and
Weapons
Surveillance Radar, Helicopter Long
Range Active Sonar (HELRAS)
Dipping Sonar
Whitehead A244S Torpedoes, Electro-
Optic System

Range
About 400 nautical miles