Singapore procures four new OPVs for maritime security flotilla

A German Potsdam-class OPV. Singapore is believed to have ordered four similar OPVs from Fassmer. (Michael Nitz – Naval Press Service)

Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has signed a contract with German shipbuilder Fassmer for four new offshore patrol vessels (OPVs).

The OPVs will replace the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN's) fleet of four Sentinel-class maritime security and response vessels (MSRVs), the ministry disclosed in a 20 November statement.

These MSRVs operate with the RSN's maritime security and response flotilla (MSRF), and were formerly in service with the RSN as part of the Fearless class.

MINDEF has not given further details of the OPVs that it signed for but added that the vessels are based on “a proven OPV design operated by the German Bundespolizei”.

The OPVs have also been “designed with high manoeuvrability to operate in Singapore's congested waters and equipped with a suite of lethal and less-lethal capabilities to provide flexibility and calibrated response against a wide spectrum of maritime threats”.

Fassmer has not responded to an email from Janes asking about the vessel type, but a vessel class operated by the German Bundespolizei and built by the shipbuilder is the company's 86 m OPV product.

It is in service as the Potsdam class and the German Bundespolizei's fleet of four OPVs were commissioned between July 2019 and June 2023.

The steel-hulled vessel displaces about 1,900 tonnes and is powered by two Wärtsilä 12V26 diesel engines and two 600 kW electric motors driving two controllable pitch propellers. The OPV is also equipped with two 350 kW bow thrusters for increased manoeuvrability, especially in ports.