This citation is given in recognition of RSS Fearless, RSS Brave and RSS Dauntless' invaluable contribution and dedicated service to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) and Singapore.
RSS Fearless and RSS Brave were commissioned on 5th October 1996, while RSS Dauntless was commissioned on 3rd May 1997. Together with their sister Patrol Vessels, they were entrusted with the sacred task of securing our maritime security, protecting our territorial waters and safeguarding our Sea Lines of Communication. RSS Fearless, RSS Brave and RSS Dauntless have served our nation and the RSN tirelessly for the past twenty-two years in many operations, such as security patrols in our waters off Pedra Branca and Tuas. They have also flown the RSN flag high by participating in countless bilateral and multilateral exercises.
RSS Fearless was the first-of-class Anti-submarine Patrol Vessel. She participated in numerous exercises, and amongst those, Cooperation and Readiness Afloat Training Exercise, Exercise Pelican and Exercise Bersama Padu, strengthening ties with navies internationally. RSS Fearless was one of the first responders to lend aid to the USS John S. McCain. She also participated in the security operations for the Democratic People's Republic of Korea-United States Singapore Summit in 2018, safeguarding our waters as the proceedings took place. RSS Fearless also won many awards, including the award for four consecutive accident-free work years from 2015 to 2018.
RSS Brave was also one of the six Anti-submarine Patrol Vessels. She participated in several Anti-submarine Warfare (ASW) exercises with regional navies such as Singapore-India Maritime Bilateral Exercise and contributed to ASW developments in the RSN. Of note, RSS Brave was deployed to Pedra Branca during the day of the International Court of Justice ruling in 2008 and played a key role in the ASEAN Summit 2018 as she conducted security patrols in our waters. Over her years of service, RSS Brave won several awards, including the award for three consecutive accident-free work years from 2016 to 2019 and five Squadron Best Gun in her years of service.
RSS Dauntless participated in numerous exercises, building ties with navies on an international scale, the most recent being Exercise Milan in Port Blair, India, in 2018. RSS Dauntless was also one of two Patrol Vessels involved in the ceremonial sail past to pay our final respects to our late Minister Mentor, Lee Kuan Yew, honouring his resilience and unrelenting spirit. Over her years of service, RSS Dauntless won numerous awards, including being the only Patrol Vessel to have won the RSN Top Gun Award in Work Year 05/06 (April 2005 to March 2006).
Throughout their operational service, RSS Fearless, RSS Brave and RSS Dauntless were an integral part of the Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF)'s High Readiness Core and truly lived up to 182 Squadron's motto of being “Sharp and Vigilant”. All three ships have in their course of duty over the past twenty-two years foiled many sea robbery attempts within the Singapore Strait. The success of these Patrol Vessels would not have been possible without the unwavering dedication, professionalism and sacrifices of the many generations of sailors who served on-board.
The RSN salutes RSS Fearless, RSS Brave and RSS Dauntless for two decades of unwavering service. Their qualities, values and contributions shall continue to inspire the men and women of the RSN for generations to come.
RADM SEAH POH YEEN
Commander MSTF
27 August 2019