Singapore has selected the French shipyard of DCN as the prime contractor for six new stealth frigates to enter service from 2006. These 110m ships will replace six old 45m Sea Wolf missile-gunboats, providing Singapore with a major improvement in its Navy. The $1 billion French contract covers only the hull and machinery. Singapore will, over the next few months, sign contracts to select the multi-function radar, electronic warfare system, anti-submarine sonar, medium caliber gun, surface-to-surface missile system, point defense missile system, and lightweight torpedoes. With advanced automation, the ships will get by with a crew of only 60.-Stephen V Cole