Reply to Media Query on the LST Upgrades

In response to a media query on the upgrade programme for the RSN's Landing Ships Tank (LST), Commanding Officer, 191Sqn, Colonel Thng Chee Meng issued the following reply:

The four Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) Endurance-Class Landing Ships Tank (LST) have been in service for more than 10 years. An upgrade programme for the LSTs started in 2013 to extend their operational lifespan. The upgrades will enable the LSTs to better support operational requirements for maritime security and operations other than war. To date, two LSTs (RSS Persistence and RSS Endurance) have been upgraded.

The key upgrades to the LSTs are:

a)      Introduction of Combat Management System. The LSTs are equipped with an enhanced combat suite to improve network systems and integration with the rest of the RSN's fleet. The Combat Management System will aid the ship crew in the command and control of the sensor and weapon systems, providing a robust feedback loop for faster tracking of potential maritime threats. With these state-of-the-art data fusion, sense-making and decision support engines, there is increased awareness at the task force level which will allow the LSTs to have better situation awareness  and to take quick decisive action.

b)      Improved operational planning capability. Over the years, the LSTs have been deployed for a wide range of operations such as peace support operations, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief missions and counter-piracy operations. Through these deployments, it was determined that a dedicated operational planning capability for the task group on board the LST was required.

c)      Better support for helicopter operations. Helicopters are typically deployed as part of operations other than war. To better cater for extended deployments of the helicopters out at sea, the hangar is fitted with facilities like an overhead crane and an upgraded Aircraft Ship Integrated Securing and Traversing System (ASIST) to provide comprehensive support and maintenance for helicopter operations.

d)      Adoption of environmentally-friendly practices. Stricter environmental codes and standards present a need for the RSN to improve its environmentally-friendly features. In compliance with the Maritime Pollution Convention of which Singapore is a signatory, the garbage disposal system can now better handle larger garbage loads over longer deployments.