Brunei to induct ex-Singapore Fearless-class patrol boats

A file image of the Republic of Singapore Navy's Fearless-class patrol vessel, RSS Independence , while it was in service. The Royal Brunei Navy will soon operate two ex-Singapore Fearless-class vessels, which have been retired by Singapore and are being transferred to Brunei as a gift. (Singapore Ministry of Defence)

The Royal Brunei Navy (RBN) will soon operate two ex-Singapore Fearless-class patrol vessels that were formerly in service with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

Janes has learnt that the RBN is presently in the process of receiving these vessels, which were in service with the RSN as RSS Gallant and RSS Brave .

Singapore decommissioned Gallant and Brave in December 2020 and August 2019, respectively. These vessels will be known as KDB As-Siddiq and KDB Al-Faruq , respectively, once commissioned by the RBN.

The two vessels are being transferred as a gift, and the move is a symbol of the close defence relations between the two smallest Southeast Asian countries.

The RSN operated a class of 12 Fearless-class patrol vessels, and these were commissioned between 1996 and 1998. The class displaces about 500 tonnes and it has an overall length of 55 m.

The vessels were built by then Singapore Shipbuilding and Engineering Limited (currently known as ST Engineering Marine) and were in service with the RSN's 182 Squadron under the country's Maritime Security Task Force (MSTF).