French shipbuilder Naval Group has signed a contract with Singapore-based technology firm ST Engineering to work on the mid-life upgrade of the Formidable-class frigates for the Republic of Singapore Navy.
On December 14 2023, ST Engineering announced that its subsidiary ST Engineering Marine has secured a contract with the Singapore Ministry of Defence for the mid-life upgrade of the Formidable-class frigates.
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 program.
Naval Group has built the first vessel in the Formidable-class series on the Lorient shipyard in France. The other five ships were built locally by the ST Engineering shipyard, in accordance with the major transfer of technology agreement.
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.
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.
In addition to the initial support of the maintenance program for the 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.
Formidable-class frigates are 114 meters long, with a beam of 16 meters and a displacement of 3,200 tons. They are capable of conducting a variety of operations, which enable them to tackle enemies from the air, on the surface and underwater.