The ships possess stealth capabilities and are equipped with advanced combat systems that allow them to deal with surface, air and underwater threats. -- ST PHOTO: CHEW SENG KIM

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The new frigates - the RSS Intrepid, RSS Steadfast and RSS Tenacious - join one that entered service last year. Two more are expected to become operational next year, the Ministry of Defence said in a news release.

Under a technology transfer agreement with French shipbuilder Direction des Constructions Navales, the first ship was designed and built in France. The others were built in Singapore, the ministry said.

The ships possess stealth capabilities and are equipped with advanced combat systems that allow them to deal with surface, air and underwater threats, it said.

Each frigate is designed to carry a Sikorsky S-70B helicopter which Mr Teo Chee Hean, the Minister for Defence, said will enhance the frigates' potential when the helicopters begin arriving next year.

Each ship will carry 71 sailors and 15 air crew.

'The introduction of the frigates will provide the RSN with a quantum leap in warfare capabilities,' he said at their commissioning.

RSN is the Republic of Singapore Navy.

He said the island nation is home to the world's busiest port and sits astride important sea lanes that handle 11 million barrels of oil - almost half of global shipments - every day.

'Many countries will continue to depend on the sea for their economic well-being and the livelihoods of their citizens. Safeguarding our sea lines of communications is thus a shared strategic imperative for the countries of the world,' Mr Teo said.

Singapore last year increased its defence budget by 5.3 percent to an estimated S$10.58 billion.

Singapore's navy has sent transport ships to support coalition forces operating in the Gulf. -- AFP