Singapore launches first Sentinel-class offshore patrol vessel in Germany

Singapore has launched its first Sentinel-class offshore patrol vessel (OPV) at the Fassmer shipyard in Germany. The vessel, named ‘Sentinel’, is the first of four new ships being constructed to enhance the Republic of Singapore Navy’s maritime security capabilities.

The launch ceremony was attended by Singaporean Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing and German Federal Minister of Defence Boris Pistorius. Minister Chan described the project as a symbol of the deep defense relationship between Singapore and Germany, noting that the partnership extends beyond a simple buyer-seller dynamic to include long-term cooperation in areas such as submarine training, cyber defense, and technology.

Built upon the Fassmer OPV-80 platform, the Sentinel-class vessels are designed to meet evolving maritime security requirements with greater operational flexibility and endurance than previous Maritime Security and Response Vessels. The ships are engineered for interoperability with various Singaporean agencies, including the Police Coast Guard and the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. Following the launch, the vessel will undergo integration and acceptance testing, followed by sea trials.