British Defence Singapore Support Unit: Difference between revisions
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| location = [[Sembawang]] |
| location = [[Sembawang]], Singapore |
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| country = [[Singapore]] |
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| caption2 = {{HMS|Illustrious|R06|6}} at the facility in 2013. |
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| type = Naval Base |
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| type = Naval facility |
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| coordinates = {{Coord|1|27|46.8|N|103|49|59.7|E|display=inline,title}} |
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| operator = [[Strategic Command (United Kingdom)|Strategic Command]] |
| operator = [[Strategic Command (United Kingdom)|Strategic Command]] |
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| controlledby = Director of Overseas Bases |
| controlledby = Director of Overseas Bases |
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| open_to_public = <!-- for out of use sites/sites with museums etc --> |
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| code = <!--facility/installation code, applies to US --> |
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| built = {{Start date|1938}} (as [[Singapore Naval Base|HMNB Singapore]]) |
| built = {{Start date and age|1938}} (as [[Singapore Naval Base|HMNB Singapore]]) |
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| used = 1938–present <!--{{End date|1946}} --> |
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⚫ | The '''British Defence Singapore Support Unit''' ('''BDSSU''') is a British naval facility located in [[Sembawang]], [[Singapore]]. A remnant of a larger naval base, known as [[HMNB Singapore]], the facility provides fuel and other supplies to [[Royal Navy]] ships in the region, as well as those of other countries.<ref name="MOD">{{cite web |title=Director of Overseas Bases |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permanent-joint-operating-bases-pjobs/fd |website=gov.uk |publisher=Ministry of Defence |access-date=13 October 2020 |date=18 December 2019}}</ref> It is the only permanent Royal Navy presence to remain at the former naval base, which is maintained by [[Naval Party 1022]] under the auspices of the [[Five Power Defence Arrangements]] (FPDA).<ref name="KCL">{{cite news |last1=Dharmasingham |first1=Ash |title=East of Suez: A British Strategy for the Asian Century: Part Six. Malaysia and Singapore |url=https://d3n8a8pro7vhmx.cloudfront.net/youngfabians/pages/2328/attachments/original/1509441105/Corrections-East-of-Suez-A-British-Strategy-for-the-Asian-Century-co..._%282%29.pdf?1509441105 |access-date=13 October 2020 |publisher=King's College London}}</ref> |
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⚫ | The '''British Defence Singapore Support Unit''' ('''BDSSU''') is a British naval facility located in [[Sembawang]], [[Singapore]]. A remnant of a larger naval base, known as [[HMNB Singapore]], the facility provides fuel and other supplies to [[Royal Navy]] ships in the region, as well as those of other countries.<ref name="MOD">{{cite web |title=Director of Overseas Bases |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/permanent-joint-operating-bases-pjobs/fd |website=gov.uk |publisher=Ministry of Defence | |
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==History== |
==History== |
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===1938{{endash}}2010=== |
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{{main|Singapore Naval Base}} |
{{main|Singapore Naval Base}} |
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The facility has its origins in the larger [[HMNB Singapore]] (also known as HMS ''Terror''), a naval base which was established by the United Kingdom during [[World War |
The facility has its origins in the larger [[HMNB Singapore]] (also known as HMS ''Terror''), a naval base which was established by the United Kingdom during [[World War II]] as a cornerstone of its [[Singapore strategy]].<ref name="Montrose">{{cite news |title=HMS Montrose Arrives in Singapore |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/february/07/190207-montrose-arrives-singapore |access-date=13 October 2020 |agency=[[Royal Navy]] |date=7 February 2019}}</ref><ref name="singaporegov">{{cite web |title=Sembawang Naval Base |url=https://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/infopedia/articles/SIP_1820_2011-07-19.html |website=Singapore infopedia |access-date=13 October 2020}}</ref> In 1942, the [[Battle of Singapore]] resulted in the base being taken over by [[Empire of Japan|Japan]]. However, after the surrender of Japan in 1945, the base was returned to British control.<ref name="singaporegov"/> |
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After World War II, the naval base was gradually reduced in size after Singapore gained independence in 1965 and it was ultimately handed over to Singapore in 1968.<ref name="singaporegov"/> The base was then largely converted into a commercial dockyard, known as Sembawang Shipyard Pte Ltd.<ref name="singaporegov"/> However, some facilities were retained and maintained by [[ANZUK]], an alliance between [[Australia]], [[New Zealand]] and the United Kingdom to defend Singapore and [[Malaysia]] after the United Kingdom withdrew its forces from the [[East of Suez]].<ref name="archive">{{cite web |title=R.N.A.S. Sembawang |url=http://www.royalnavyresearcharchive.org.uk/FAA-Bases/Sembawang.htm#.X4mSqtBKiUk |website=Fleet Air Arm Bases |publisher=Royal Navy Research Archive |access-date=16 October 2020}}</ref> ANZUK was replaced by the [[Five Power Defence Arrangements]] (FPDA), which included both Malaysia and Singapore, in 1971.<ref name="archive"/> The BDSSU was one such facility maintained by the UK in order to support its FPDA commitments.<ref>{{cite news |title=Eye on Sembawang: Flourishing in the far north |url=https://sg.news.yahoo.com/eye-sembawang-flourishing-far-north-003056858--sector.html?guccounter=1&guce_referrer=aHR0cHM6Ly93d3cuZ29vZ2xlLmNvbS8&guce_referrer_sig=AQAAAK-kbv2YQqpMUfBvyDPS60lzddABQRSYtpK6iOT-SKKU80v_fSjB7isEqMsA2pUOpAzsyk-uPvdft7ERCTZEtIpUev0NUsgWKj9ucqn_gTBR4-27qSAt45R19bzEeWHm7StBjq_uviLre4pcK0RP3ZTg_zcyd0JspMQEH8OogPNa |access-date=19 October 2020 |agency=Yahoo! News |date=8 April 2016}}</ref> |
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===2010{{endash}}2020=== |
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In November 2013, the Royal Navy aircraft carrier {{HMS|Illustrious|R06|6}} visited the facility and was equipped with humanitarian aid and supplies destined for the [[Philippines]] in the wake of [[Typhoon Haiyan]]. Over 500 tonnes of equipment and stores were supplied to the ship in what the Royal Navy described as the "most ambitious storing that a Royal Navy ship has attempted to do within 24 hours" since the [[Falklands War]] in 1982.<ref name="Lusty2">{{cite news |title=HMS Illustrious en route to the Philippines |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hms-illustrious-en-route-to-the-philippines |access-date=2 December 2020 |work=GOV.UK |date=22 November 2013}}</ref><ref name="Lusty1">{{cite news |title=HMS Illustrious picks up stores for Philippines aid |url=https://www.gov.uk/government/news/hms-illustrious-picks-up-stores-for-philippines-aid |access-date=2 December 2020 |work=GOV.UK |date=21 November 2013}}</ref> |
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⚫ | As a repair and logistics support facility, the BDSSU was underutilized by the Royal Navy until 2018, when the UK began a strategic return East of Suez.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Waters |first1=Conrad |title=World Naval Review 2020 |date=October 2019 |publisher=Seaforh |isbn=978-1-5267-6062-3}}</ref> The consequent re-surge in activity saw the facility supporting {{HMS|Sutherland|F81|6}}, {{HMS|Albion|L14|6}}, {{HMS|Argyll|F231|6}} and {{HMS|Montrose|F236|6}} within a 12-month period — the largest deployment of British warships to the region since the [[Korean War]] in the 1950s.<ref name="FE"/><ref name="Montrose"/> During this period, the facility provided more fuel than all of the naval bases in the United Kingdom.<ref>{{cite news |title=HMS Montrose Visits Singapore |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2019/february/20/190230-hms-montrose-visits-singapore |access-date=16 October 2020 |agency=[[Royal Navy]] |date=20 February 2020 |quote=With three major British warships using the wharves last year, the small facility provided more fuel than all the home naval bases.}}</ref> |
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As part of an initiative to re-engage with the world after [[Brexit]], the UK began evaluating options for a military base in the [[Far East]] in 2019.<ref name="FE">{{cite news |last1=Thayer |first1=Carl |title=After Brexit: Global Britain Plots Course to Return to the Far East |url=https://thediplomat.com/2019/01/after-brexit-global-britain-plots-course-to-return-to-the-far-east/ |access-date=13 October 2020 |agency=The Diplomat |date=17 January 2019}}</ref> Singapore was among the options under consideration.<ref name="FE"/><ref>{{cite news |last1=Tossini |first1=J. Vitor |title=A look at the considered locations for new British military bases overseas |url=https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/a-look-at-the-considered-locations-for-new-british-military-bases-overseas/ |access-date=13 October 2020 |agency=UK Defence Journal |date=1 March 2019}}</ref> |
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⚫ | After a period where the unit was led by a civilian from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Acting Commander James Bradshaw, formerly Commander of the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron, assumed command as Commander BDSSU in March 2017. Commander Paul Bastiaens arrived in Singapore in January 2018. In November 2020, Tim Hutchins became the unit's commander, succeeding Commander Paul Bastiaens.<ref name="commander">{{cite news |title=New Commander of Singapore team prepares for carrier's Far East mission |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/november/25/20201125-singapore-post |access-date=25 November 2020 |agency=[[Royal Navy]] |date=25 November 2020}}</ref> At the time of his appointment, the unit comprised 33 personnel, consisting of UK service personnel and civilian contractors. An average of 120 vessels had also visited the unit over the past five years — primarily from the FPDA navies and the [[United States Navy]] — making it one of the busiest UK military-operated ports for frigate and destroyer movements.<ref name="commander"/> His appointment came as the unit prepared to support the 50th anniversary of [[Five Power Defence Arrangements#Exercises|Exercise Bersama Lima]], a military exercise held by the FPDA.<ref name="commander"/> |
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⚫ | As a repair and logistics support facility, |
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===2020{{endash}}present=== |
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In July 2021, the Royal Navy's [[UK Carrier Strike Group 21]], led by aircraft carrier {{ship|HMS|Queen Elizabeth|R08|6}}, visited Singapore on its debut operational deployment. At least one ship from the strike group, auxiliary {{ship|RFA|Tidespring|A136|6}}, visited the BDSSU to resupply on fuel, food, stores and mail.<ref>{{cite news |title=Photo essay – the Carrier Strike Group – from Suez to the South China Sea |url=https://www.navylookout.com/photo-essay-the-carrier-strike-group-from-suez-to-the-south-china-sea/ |access-date=8 August 2021 |work=Navy Lookout |date=29 July 2021}}</ref> Another ship, [[Type 45 destroyer]] {{ship|HMS|Diamond|D34|6}}, also visited the facility after experiencing technical issues at sea.<ref name="diamond">{{cite news |title=Technical issues force HMS Diamond to miss final day of exercise |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/naval-warfare/technical-issues-force-hms-diamond-to-miss-final-d/ |access-date=20 October 2021 |work=Shepherd News |date=19 October 2021}}</ref> |
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In May 2021, the Royal Navy announced that two {{sclass2|River|offshore patrol vessel}}s, {{HMS|Tamar|P233|6}} and {{HMS|Spey|P234|6}}, would be permanently based in the Indo-Pacific region with the new [[Type 31 frigate]]s joining them in future.<ref name="riverclass1">{{cite news |title=First Sea Lord Sea Power Conference Speech 2021 |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2021/may/19/210519-1sl-seapower-conf |access-date=20 October 2021 |agency=[[Royal Navy]] |date=19 May 2021}}</ref> The ships will use the BDSSU as their primary logistics hub.<ref name="riverclass2">{{cite news |last1=Graham |first1=Euan |title=Reflections on the Royal Navy’s Indo-Pacific engagement |url=https://www.iiss.org/blogs/analysis/2021/10/reflections-on-the-royal-navys-indo-pacific-engagement |access-date=20 October 2021 |work=[[International Institute for Strategic Studies]] |date=19 October 2021}}</ref> |
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==See also== |
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⚫ | In November 2020, Tim Hutchins became the unit's commander, succeeding Commander Paul Bastiaens.<ref name="commander">{{cite news |title=New Commander of Singapore team prepares for carrier's Far East mission |url=https://www.royalnavy.mod.uk/news-and-latest-activity/news/2020/november/25/20201125-singapore-post |access-date=25 November 2020 |agency=[[Royal Navy]] |date=25 November 2020}}</ref> At the time of his appointment, the unit comprised 33 personnel, consisting of UK service personnel and civilian contractors. An average of 120 vessels had also visited the unit over the past five years — primarily from the FPDA navies and the [[United States Navy]] — making it one of the busiest UK military-operated ports for frigate and destroyer movements.<ref name="commander"/> His appointment came as the unit prepared to support the 50th anniversary [[Exercise Bersama |
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* [[Singapore–United Kingdom relations]] |
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* [[Overseas military bases of the United Kingdom]] |
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* [[List of Royal Navy shore establishments]] |
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==References== |
== References == |
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{{ |
{{Reflist}} |
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== External links == |
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* {{Twitter}} |
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{{British Forces deployments}} |
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[[Category:Royal Navy bases outside the United Kingdom]] |
[[Category:Royal Navy bases outside the United Kingdom]] |
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[[Category:Military installations of the United Kingdom in other countries]] |
[[Category:Military installations of the United Kingdom in other countries]] |
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[[Category: |
[[Category:Singapore–United Kingdom military relations]] |
Latest revision as of 00:31, 28 December 2024
British Defence Singapore Support Unit | |
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Sembawang, Singapore | |
Coordinates | 1°27′46.8″N 103°49′59.7″E / 1.463000°N 103.833250°E |
Type | Naval Base |
Site information | |
Owner | United Kingdom |
Operator | Strategic Command |
Controlled by | Director of Overseas Bases |
Condition | Operational |
Site history | |
Built | 1938HMNB Singapore) | (as
In use | 1938–present |
Garrison information | |
Current commander | Tim Hutchins |
Occupants | Naval Party 1022 |
The British Defence Singapore Support Unit (BDSSU) is a British naval facility located in Sembawang, Singapore. A remnant of a larger naval base, known as HMNB Singapore, the facility provides fuel and other supplies to Royal Navy ships in the region, as well as those of other countries.[1] It is the only permanent Royal Navy presence to remain at the former naval base, which is maintained by Naval Party 1022 under the auspices of the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA).[2]
History
[edit]1938–2010
[edit]The facility has its origins in the larger HMNB Singapore (also known as HMS Terror), a naval base which was established by the United Kingdom during World War II as a cornerstone of its Singapore strategy.[3][4] In 1942, the Battle of Singapore resulted in the base being taken over by Japan. However, after the surrender of Japan in 1945, the base was returned to British control.[4]
After World War II, the naval base was gradually reduced in size after Singapore gained independence in 1965 and it was ultimately handed over to Singapore in 1968.[4] The base was then largely converted into a commercial dockyard, known as Sembawang Shipyard Pte Ltd.[4] However, some facilities were retained and maintained by ANZUK, an alliance between Australia, New Zealand and the United Kingdom to defend Singapore and Malaysia after the United Kingdom withdrew its forces from the East of Suez.[5] ANZUK was replaced by the Five Power Defence Arrangements (FPDA), which included both Malaysia and Singapore, in 1971.[5] The BDSSU was one such facility maintained by the UK in order to support its FPDA commitments.[6]
2010–2020
[edit]In November 2013, the Royal Navy aircraft carrier HMS Illustrious visited the facility and was equipped with humanitarian aid and supplies destined for the Philippines in the wake of Typhoon Haiyan. Over 500 tonnes of equipment and stores were supplied to the ship in what the Royal Navy described as the "most ambitious storing that a Royal Navy ship has attempted to do within 24 hours" since the Falklands War in 1982.[7][8]
As a repair and logistics support facility, the BDSSU was underutilized by the Royal Navy until 2018, when the UK began a strategic return East of Suez.[9] The consequent re-surge in activity saw the facility supporting HMS Sutherland, HMS Albion, HMS Argyll and HMS Montrose within a 12-month period — the largest deployment of British warships to the region since the Korean War in the 1950s.[10][3] During this period, the facility provided more fuel than all of the naval bases in the United Kingdom.[11]
As part of an initiative to re-engage with the world after Brexit, the UK began evaluating options for a military base in the Far East in 2019.[10] Singapore was among the options under consideration.[10][12]
After a period where the unit was led by a civilian from the Defence Infrastructure Organisation, Acting Commander James Bradshaw, formerly Commander of the Royal Navy Gibraltar Squadron, assumed command as Commander BDSSU in March 2017. Commander Paul Bastiaens arrived in Singapore in January 2018. In November 2020, Tim Hutchins became the unit's commander, succeeding Commander Paul Bastiaens.[13] At the time of his appointment, the unit comprised 33 personnel, consisting of UK service personnel and civilian contractors. An average of 120 vessels had also visited the unit over the past five years — primarily from the FPDA navies and the United States Navy — making it one of the busiest UK military-operated ports for frigate and destroyer movements.[13] His appointment came as the unit prepared to support the 50th anniversary of Exercise Bersama Lima, a military exercise held by the FPDA.[13]
2020–present
[edit]In July 2021, the Royal Navy's UK Carrier Strike Group 21, led by aircraft carrier HMS Queen Elizabeth, visited Singapore on its debut operational deployment. At least one ship from the strike group, auxiliary RFA Tidespring, visited the BDSSU to resupply on fuel, food, stores and mail.[14] Another ship, Type 45 destroyer HMS Diamond, also visited the facility after experiencing technical issues at sea.[15]
In May 2021, the Royal Navy announced that two River-class offshore patrol vessels, HMS Tamar and HMS Spey, would be permanently based in the Indo-Pacific region with the new Type 31 frigates joining them in future.[16] The ships will use the BDSSU as their primary logistics hub.[17]
See also
[edit]- Singapore–United Kingdom relations
- Overseas military bases of the United Kingdom
- List of Royal Navy shore establishments
References
[edit]- ^ "Director of Overseas Bases". gov.uk. Ministry of Defence. 18 December 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ Dharmasingham, Ash. "East of Suez: A British Strategy for the Asian Century: Part Six. Malaysia and Singapore" (PDF). King's College London. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b "HMS Montrose Arrives in Singapore". Royal Navy. 7 February 2019. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b c d "Sembawang Naval Base". Singapore infopedia. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b "R.N.A.S. Sembawang". Fleet Air Arm Bases. Royal Navy Research Archive. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
- ^ "Eye on Sembawang: Flourishing in the far north". Yahoo! News. 8 April 2016. Retrieved 19 October 2020.
- ^ "HMS Illustrious en route to the Philippines". GOV.UK. 22 November 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ "HMS Illustrious picks up stores for Philippines aid". GOV.UK. 21 November 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2020.
- ^ Waters, Conrad (October 2019). World Naval Review 2020. Seaforh. ISBN 978-1-5267-6062-3.
- ^ a b c Thayer, Carl (17 January 2019). "After Brexit: Global Britain Plots Course to Return to the Far East". The Diplomat. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ "HMS Montrose Visits Singapore". Royal Navy. 20 February 2020. Retrieved 16 October 2020.
With three major British warships using the wharves last year, the small facility provided more fuel than all the home naval bases.
- ^ Tossini, J. Vitor (1 March 2019). "A look at the considered locations for new British military bases overseas". UK Defence Journal. Retrieved 13 October 2020.
- ^ a b c "New Commander of Singapore team prepares for carrier's Far East mission". Royal Navy. 25 November 2020. Retrieved 25 November 2020.
- ^ "Photo essay – the Carrier Strike Group – from Suez to the South China Sea". Navy Lookout. 29 July 2021. Retrieved 8 August 2021.
- ^ "Technical issues force HMS Diamond to miss final day of exercise". Shepherd News. 19 October 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ^ "First Sea Lord Sea Power Conference Speech 2021". Royal Navy. 19 May 2021. Retrieved 20 October 2021.
- ^ Graham, Euan (19 October 2021). "Reflections on the Royal Navy's Indo-Pacific engagement". International Institute for Strategic Studies. Retrieved 20 October 2021.