Endurance class landing platform dock ship

The "Endurance class" landing platform dock ships are the biggest class of ships in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They were designed and built locally by Singapore Technologies (ST) Marine to replace the old "County" class tank landing ships (LST). The four ships form the 191 Squadron of the RSN.

History

The navy's intention to purchase the "Endurance" class was revealed by former Defence Minster Dr. Tony Tan during his visit to Tuas Naval Base on 3 August 1996. These ships were to replace the five ex-United States Navy (USN) "County" class LSTs, which were acquired by Singapore from the United States in the 1970s. ST Marine was awarded the government contract to design and build the four ships - a significant milestone for the local defence and shipbuilding industries given the scale and extensiveness of the programme.

Construction of the "Endurance" began in early 1997, with the keel laid down at ST Marine's Benoi yard on 27 March 1997.

Design & construction

The "Endurance" class is 40% larger than the previous "County" class that she replaced but yet travels almost twice as fast as its predecessor, despite its larger size. Each ship is fitted with a well dock which can accommodate four landing crafts, as well as a flight deck which can accommodate two medium lift helicopters. [cite web | title=Characteristics of the "Endurance" class LST | work=MINDEF | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2001/apr/07apr01_nr/07apr01_fs.html | accessdate=2004-09-26]

While the RSN describes the "Endurance" class as LSTs, they lack the beaching capability traditionally associated with LSTs and their well docks and flight decks qualify the "Endurance" class more as amphibious transport docks. The term "multipurpose support vessel" is closer to the intent of its use, given the necessary limited objectives of the RSN as a small naval force operating primarily in littoral waters.

The "Endurance" class was built with a heavy emphasis on automation. RSS "Endurance" became the first ship in the world to use official electronic navigational charts with the Electronic Chart Display and Information System (ECDIS) to circumnavigate the world. [cite web | title=International Dimension | work=United Kingdom Hydrographic Office | url=http://www.ukho.gov.uk/content/corpAttachments/ar/report_pages/international_dimension.htm | accessdate=2007-04-21] The integrated bridge system allows the operator to access the navigation and communications systems, the ECDIS and other vital systems needed to sail the ship effectively, while the Ship Control, Monitoring and Management System controls, monitors and manages most of the platforms onboard. The ships are also equipped with a Aircraft Ship Integrated Secure and Traverse (ASIST) system which helps in landing, securing, manoeuvring and traversing a helicopter, and eliminates the need for deck personnel to secure helicopters upon landing. [cite web | title=DSTA equips RSN with technologically advanced Landing Ship Tanks | work=DSTA | url=http://www.dsta.gov.sg/home/DisplayPage/sideContentPage10.asp?id=1190 | accessdate=2007-04-21] All these result in a high degree of automation, with a reduced manning requirement of 65 crew members for a 6000-tonne ship. [cite web | title=Factsheet - New Landing Ship Tank | work=MINDEF | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1999/mar/12mar99_nr/12mar99_fs.html | accessdate=2007-04-21]

Operations

The ships provide sea transportation for personnel and equipment for Singapore Armed Forces' overseas training, as well as a training platform for RSN's midshipmen. RSS "Endurance" became the first RSN ship to circumnavigate the globe when it participated in the 6th USN International Naval Review in New York City, [cite web | title=Speech by Dr Tony Tan Keng Yam, Deputy Prime Minister & Minister for Defence, on the Occasion of the Commissioning Ceremony for the RSN Landing Ship Tank, RSS Endurance & RSS Resolution Held on Saturday, 18 March 2000 at 10:00 AM at Tuas Naval Base | work=MINDEF | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/resources/speeches/2000/18mar00_speech.html | accessdate=2006-10-17] passing through both Panama and Suez canals.

The ships actively participate in various multilateral exercises annually. RSS "Resolution" successfully fired a Mistral surface-to-air missile during Exercise Cooperation Afloat Readiness and Training in 2000, an annual joint naval exercise between the USN and RSN. [cite web | title=Landing Ship Tanks | work=National Library Board | url=http://infopedia.nlb.gov.sg/articles/SIP_539_2005-01-05.html | accessdate=2007-04-21] RSS "Endurance" participated as both a compliant and non-compliant vessel for boarding teams during Exercise Sea Sabre in 2004 as part of the Proliferation Security Initiative. [cite web | title=Sea Sabre | work=Global Security | url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/ops/sea-saber.htm | accessdate=2007-04-21]

The ships are active participants in multinational peacekeeping efforts. As part of Singapore’s contribution to the reconstruction efforts in Iraq, RSS "Endurance" was sent to the Persian Gulf in October 2003 for two months. [cite web | title=SAF Deploys LST and C-130 to Assist in Reconstruction of Iraq | work=MINDEF | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2003/oct/27oct03_nr.html.print.html?Status=1 | accessdate=2007-04-21] RSS "Resolution" followed in November 2004 and RSS "Endeavour" in February 2006. [cite web | title=SAF Landing Ship Tank Deployment to Aid in the Reconstruction of Iraq | work=MINDEF | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2004/nov/27nov04_nr.html.print.html?Status=1 | accessdate=2007-04-21] [cite web | title=SAF Landing Ship Tank Deployment to Aid in the Reconstruction of Iraq | work=MINDEF | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2006/feb/04feb06_nr.html.print.html?Status=1 | accessdate=2007-04-21] The ships conducted logistical tasks, such as replenishing supplies for other naval vessels in the Persian Gulf, and conducted patrols to enforce maritime presence. They also served as a platform for helicopter missions and maritime boarding operations missions by teams from other coalition countries when they inspected ships leaving Iraq. The last deployment saw the RSS "Resolution" taking on the expanded role of taking charge of coalition and Iraqi Navy ships to defend Iraq's oil platforms. [cite web | title=A taste of home after successful Gulf deployment | work=MINDEF | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/publications/cyberpioneer/news/2006/May/29may06_news4.html.print.html?Status=1 | accessdate=2007-04-21] On 1 September 2007, RSS "Persistence" became the fourth ship to be deployed to the Persian Gulf in support of the multinational reconstruction efforts in Iraq. [cite web | title=SAF Landing Ship Tank Deployment to the Gulf | work=MINDEF | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2007/sep/01sep07_nr2.html.print.html?Status=1 | accessdate=2007-09-01]

The ships were also involved in various humanitarian relief operations, such as the tsunami-hit Indonesian province of Aceh in 2004. Within a few days of the disaster, the RSS "Endurance" sailed to Aceh in Indonesia to deliver emergency supplies and medical personnel to aid in the relief efforts. She was then joined by RSS "Persistence" on 4 January 2005 and RSS "Endeavour" on 16 January. [cite web | title=2000 - The LSTs of 191 Squadron | work=MINDEF | url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/about_us/history/maturing_saf/v10n03_history.html | accessdate=2007-04-21]

ee also

*USS "Holmes County" (LST-836) - sold to RSN in 1975 as the original RSS "Endurance" (pennant number L201).

References