Thales to upgrade Singapore's mine countermeasures vessels

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. 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.