According to information published by The Times of India on September 4, 2021, the Indian Navy conducted a naval exercise with Singapore in the South China Sea for three days. Destroyer INS Ranvijay, corvette INS Kiltan and corvette INS Kora took part in the SIMBEX exercise with frigate RSS Steadfast and RSS Vigour from the Republic of Singapore Navy.
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INS Kiltan, INS Ranvijay, INS Kora, RSS Steadfast and RSS Vigour (Picture source: Twitter account of Indian Navy)
RSS Steadfast (70) is the third ship of the Formidable-class stealth frigate of the Republic of Singapore Navy.
The Formidable-class multi-role stealth frigates are the latest surface platforms to enter into service with the Republic of Singapore Navy, and are multi-mission derivatives of the French Navy's La Fayette-class frigate. The six ships form the First Flotilla of the RSN.
The frigates are equipped with the Thales Herakles passive electronically scanned array multi-function radar, which provides three-dimensional surveillance for up to 250 km (155.3 mi).
The radar provides all-round automatic search and tracking of both air and surface targets, and is integrated with the MBDA Aster air defence system.
Each frigate has a span of influence that stretches up to about 200 nmi (370 km).
The frigates are armed with Boeing Harpoon missiles and Oto Melara 76 mm guns for surface defence. The Harpoon missile has a range of 130 km (70 nmi) and uses active radar guidance. It is armed with a 227 kg (500 lb) warhead. The gun fires 6 kg (13 lb) shells to a maximum range of 30 km (33,000 yd) at a firing rate of up to 120 rounds per minute.
The frigates are also equipped with the EDO Corporation active low frequency towed sonar to enable long range submarine detection and classification, as well as EuroTorp A244/S Mod 3 lightweight torpedoes fired from two B515 triple-tube launchers hidden behind the bulwark.
The frigates are equipped with Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters, an international derivative of the United States Navy Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk.
