The Bedok class are mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They play an important role in the maritime security of Singapore, ensuring that the Singapore Strait and the sea lanes surrounding Singapore remain mine-free and open to international shipping. It is estimated that closure of Singapore’s ports would result in direct trade losses amounting to more than US$1.2 billion daily, posing a serious threat to Singapore's economy. The four ships form the 194 Squadron of the RSN.
In November 2007, it was reported that three companies were shortlisted to compete for the supply of a new one-shot mine disposal system to equip the Bedok class. Atlas Elektronik, ECA and Gaymarine were selected for detailed technical and commercial evaluation following an initial assessment of five candidate systems. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and L-3 Ocean Systems, offering their Minesniper system and Mk 8x Expendable Mine Destructor respectively, were eliminated from consideration. BAE Systems was unable to provide its Archerfish system for evaluation within the required timescale.
In November 2008, the Bedok class upgrade programme was revealed. Of the four vessels, two are planned to be fully refitted with modifications to the hulls and mine-hunting systems, while the other two will receive partial refits. A decision between two competing European bids is expected to be made by April 2009, with completion of the first platform expected 18 months later.
This significant contract highlights the relevance of both Thales's naval technology portfolio and its comprehensive set of skills and capabilities to address key modernisation programs in an ever-more competitive international naval market.
Thales will provide an advanced, integrated mine-countermeasure (MCM) Combat System, including the Mine Information System, a Hull Mounted Sonar, a Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) and Expendable Mine Disposal Systems. Thales will also be in charge of making any structural alterations to the vessels in relation to the integration of new systems and equipment. "Thales is honoured to have been selected by the DSTA as Prime Contractor for the modernisation program of the Bedok Class MCM vessels. This contract award underlines the cutting edge of Thales's naval technology portfolio to address the very challenging maritime environment of the Republic of Singapore", says Marc Darmon, Senior Vice President of Thales and Head of Naval Division.
Within the framework of the contract, Thales will also closely cooperate with the ST Electronics Group, building on the successful history of cooperation in various other programs.
"Upon completion of the modernisation program, the RSN will benefit from a high coverage rate of MCM operations, with a very high level of detection and classification accuracy of the most advanced sea mines. This enhanced capability constitutes a key contribution to a safer maritime environment", says Benoit Ribadeau-Dumas, Vice President of Thales's Underwater Systems Business.
In 2007 and 2008, Thales has been awarded significant MCM modernisations programs in Norway, India and Lithuania.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
With an every higher degree of sophistication and the potential use by terrorists in high traffic sea lines of communications, sea mines pose an increasing threat to naval forces and commercial vessel traffic.
In order to counter such threats, navies around the world are maintaining a cutting edge mine-hunting capability. This requires innovative sensors and algorithms able to rapidly and with a high degree of confidence detect and classify mines are necessary, along with the effectors to dispose of them.
Effectors may include expendable drones so as to remove the human operator from being exposed to the threats posed by mine disposal operations.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Singapore Awarded Thales With LEP Its Mine Countermeasure Vessels / Thales Appointed Prime Contractor For Modernisation of Singapore's Mine Vessels
Singapore Awarded Thales With LEP Its Mine Countermeasure Vessels / Thales Appointed Prime Contractor For Modernisation of Singapore's Mine Countermeasures Vessels
(NSI News Source Info) SINGAPORE - May 13, 2009: Following a call for international tender, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) of Singapore awarded Thales with the Life Extension Programme (LEP) of its 4 Bedok class mine-countermeasure vessels. The Bedok class are mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They play an important role in the maritime security of Singapore, ensuring that the Singapore Strait and the sea lanes surrounding Singapore remain mine-free and open to international shipping. It is estimated that closure of Singapore’s ports would result in direct trade losses amounting to more than US$1.2 billion daily, posing a serious threat to Singapore's economy. The four ships form the 194 Squadron of the RSN.
In November 2007, it was reported that three companies were shortlisted to compete for the supply of a new one-shot mine disposal system to equip the Bedok class. Atlas Elektronik, ECA and Gaymarine were selected for detailed technical and commercial evaluation following an initial assessment of five candidate systems. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and L-3 Ocean Systems, offering their Minesniper system and Mk 8x Expendable Mine Destructor respectively, were eliminated from consideration. BAE Systems was unable to provide its Archerfish system for evaluation within the required timescale.
In November 2008, the Bedok class upgrade programme was revealed. Of the four vessels, two are planned to be fully refitted with modifications to the hulls and mine-hunting systems, while the other two will receive partial refits. A decision between two competing European bids is expected to be made by April 2009, with completion of the first platform expected 18 months later.
This significant contract highlights the relevance of both Thales's naval technology portfolio and its comprehensive set of skills and capabilities to address key modernisation programs in an ever-more competitive international naval market.
Thales will provide an advanced, integrated mine-countermeasure (MCM) Combat System, including the Mine Information System, a Hull Mounted Sonar, a Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) and Expendable Mine Disposal Systems. Thales will also be in charge of making any structural alterations to the vessels in relation to the integration of new systems and equipment. "Thales is honoured to have been selected by the DSTA as Prime Contractor for the modernisation program of the Bedok Class MCM vessels. This contract award underlines the cutting edge of Thales's naval technology portfolio to address the very challenging maritime environment of the Republic of Singapore", says Marc Darmon, Senior Vice President of Thales and Head of Naval Division.
Within the framework of the contract, Thales will also closely cooperate with the ST Electronics Group, building on the successful history of cooperation in various other programs.
"Upon completion of the modernisation program, the RSN will benefit from a high coverage rate of MCM operations, with a very high level of detection and classification accuracy of the most advanced sea mines. This enhanced capability constitutes a key contribution to a safer maritime environment", says Benoit Ribadeau-Dumas, Vice President of Thales's Underwater Systems Business.
In 2007 and 2008, Thales has been awarded significant MCM modernisations programs in Norway, India and Lithuania.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
With an every higher degree of sophistication and the potential use by terrorists in high traffic sea lines of communications, sea mines pose an increasing threat to naval forces and commercial vessel traffic.
In order to counter such threats, navies around the world are maintaining a cutting edge mine-hunting capability. This requires innovative sensors and algorithms able to rapidly and with a high degree of confidence detect and classify mines are necessary, along with the effectors to dispose of them.
Effectors may include expendable drones so as to remove the human operator from being exposed to the threats posed by mine disposal operations.
The Bedok class are mine countermeasures vessels (MCMVs) of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They play an important role in the maritime security of Singapore, ensuring that the Singapore Strait and the sea lanes surrounding Singapore remain mine-free and open to international shipping. It is estimated that closure of Singapore’s ports would result in direct trade losses amounting to more than US$1.2 billion daily, posing a serious threat to Singapore's economy. The four ships form the 194 Squadron of the RSN.
In November 2007, it was reported that three companies were shortlisted to compete for the supply of a new one-shot mine disposal system to equip the Bedok class. Atlas Elektronik, ECA and Gaymarine were selected for detailed technical and commercial evaluation following an initial assessment of five candidate systems. Kongsberg Defence & Aerospace and L-3 Ocean Systems, offering their Minesniper system and Mk 8x Expendable Mine Destructor respectively, were eliminated from consideration. BAE Systems was unable to provide its Archerfish system for evaluation within the required timescale.
In November 2008, the Bedok class upgrade programme was revealed. Of the four vessels, two are planned to be fully refitted with modifications to the hulls and mine-hunting systems, while the other two will receive partial refits. A decision between two competing European bids is expected to be made by April 2009, with completion of the first platform expected 18 months later.
This significant contract highlights the relevance of both Thales's naval technology portfolio and its comprehensive set of skills and capabilities to address key modernisation programs in an ever-more competitive international naval market.
Thales will provide an advanced, integrated mine-countermeasure (MCM) Combat System, including the Mine Information System, a Hull Mounted Sonar, a Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonar (SAS) and Expendable Mine Disposal Systems. Thales will also be in charge of making any structural alterations to the vessels in relation to the integration of new systems and equipment. "Thales is honoured to have been selected by the DSTA as Prime Contractor for the modernisation program of the Bedok Class MCM vessels. This contract award underlines the cutting edge of Thales's naval technology portfolio to address the very challenging maritime environment of the Republic of Singapore", says Marc Darmon, Senior Vice President of Thales and Head of Naval Division.
Within the framework of the contract, Thales will also closely cooperate with the ST Electronics Group, building on the successful history of cooperation in various other programs.
"Upon completion of the modernisation program, the RSN will benefit from a high coverage rate of MCM operations, with a very high level of detection and classification accuracy of the most advanced sea mines. This enhanced capability constitutes a key contribution to a safer maritime environment", says Benoit Ribadeau-Dumas, Vice President of Thales's Underwater Systems Business.
In 2007 and 2008, Thales has been awarded significant MCM modernisations programs in Norway, India and Lithuania.
BACKGROUND NOTES:
With an every higher degree of sophistication and the potential use by terrorists in high traffic sea lines of communications, sea mines pose an increasing threat to naval forces and commercial vessel traffic.
In order to counter such threats, navies around the world are maintaining a cutting edge mine-hunting capability. This requires innovative sensors and algorithms able to rapidly and with a high degree of confidence detect and classify mines are necessary, along with the effectors to dispose of them.
Effectors may include expendable drones so as to remove the human operator from being exposed to the threats posed by mine disposal operations.
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