RSS Persistence (209)

Persistence (209) is the third ship of the Endurance-class landing platform dock of the Republic of Singapore Navy.

RSS Persistence passes through the Singapore Strait on 26 June 2007.
History
Singapore
Name: Persistence
Namesake: Persistence
Owner: Republic of Singapore Navy
Builder: ST Engineering (Marine)
Laid down: 1998
Launched: 18 March 1999
Commissioned: 7 April 2001
Identification: Pennant number: 209
Status: Active
General characteristics
Class and type: Endurance-class landing platform dock
Displacement:
  • Standard: 6,500 t (6,400 long tons; 7,200 short tons)
  • Full load: 8,500 t (8,400 long tons; 9,400 short tons)
Length: 141.0 m (462 ft 7 in)
Beam: 21.0 m (68 ft 11 in)
Draught: 5.0 m (16 ft 5 in)
Ramps: 2 × (bow and stern)
Installed power:
Propulsion:
Speed: In excess of 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Range: 5,000 nmi (9,300 km; 5,800 mi) at 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
Boats & landing
craft carried:
  • 4 × 13 m (43 ft) Fast Craft Equipment & Utility (FCEU) on davits
  • 2 × 25 m (82 ft) Fast Craft Utility (FCU) inside well deck
Capacity: 18 tanks, 20 vehicles and bulk cargo
Troops: > 350–500
Crew: 65 (8 officers and 57 men)
Sensors and
processing systems:
Electronic warfare
& decoys:
Armament:
Aircraft carried: AS 332M Super Puma or AS532UL/AL Cougar or CH-47SD Chinook helicopters
Aviation facilities: Flight deck and enclosed hangar for up to 2 medium-lift helicopters

Development

The navy's intention to purchase the Endurance-class was revealed by former Defence Minister Dr. Tony Tan during his visit to Tuas Naval Base on 3 August 1996. These ships were to replace the five ex-United States Navy (USN) County-class LSTs, which were acquired by Singapore from the United States in the 1970s. ST Marine was awarded the government contract to design and build the four ships – a significant milestone for the local defence and shipbuilding industries given the scale and extensiveness of the programme.[2][3]

Construction and career

She was laid down in 1998 and launched on 18 March 1999. Commissioned on 7 April 2001 with the hull number 209.

RSS Persistence on 4 January 2005 joined RSS Endurance to Aceh in Indonesia to deliver emergency supplies and medical personnel to aid in the relief efforts after a tsunami.[4] Persistence also featured later in support of the efforts finding Indonesia AirAsia Flight 8501.[5]

On 12 February 2009, Minister of Defence Teo Chee Hean announced that Persistence would join other naval forces off the coast of Somalia for three months in 2009. Comprising an LST with two Super Puma helicopters on board, the Singapore Armed Forces Task Group has been conducting daily helicopter surveillance flights and sector patrols to deter and disrupt piracy activities. The ship worked with the multinational Combined Task Force 151 to protect shipping in the Gulf of Aden.[6]

In December 2014, Persistence was deployed in the search for Airasia Flight QZ8501 after it crashed into the Java Sea on 28 December 2014; along with the RSN ships Supreme, Valour, and Kallang, MV Swift Rescue, and two Lockheed C-130H Hercules.[7]

References
  1. "RSN – Assets – Weapons". Ministry of Defence (Singapore) (MINDEF). 23 July 2010. Archived from the original on 20 July 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2010.
  2. "Endurance Class Landing Ship Tank (LST) - Naval Technology". www.naval-technology.com. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  3. "Endurance class Amphibious Transport Dock - Republic of Singapore Navy". www.seaforces.org. Retrieved 2020-10-03.
  4. "2000 – The LSTs of 191 Squadron". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 2007-03-10. Retrieved 2007-04-21.
  5. "Singapore Navy sends 3 vessels to help in QZ8501 search". Mediacorp News Group. Archived from the original on 29 December 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2014.
  6. "Singapore to join anti-piracy efforts in Gulf of Aden". Channel NewsAsia. 12 February 2009. Archived from the original on 31 March 2009. Retrieved 25 March 2009.
  7. "Singapore sends 5th navy ship for AirAsia QZ8501 search". CNA. 31 December 2014. Archived from the original on 6 January 2015.
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