Singapore Formidable-class frigates fitted with Blue Spear missile

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence subsequently stated that the MLU programme would also include upgrades to the frigates’ combat management, communications, and engineering systems.

The Blue Spear missile is marketed by Proteus Advanced Systems, a joint venture between Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) and Singapore’s ST Engineering.

The weapon traces its lineage to the Gabriel family of anti-ship missiles and has been developed for both naval and land-attack missions.

According to specifications released by Proteus Advanced Systems, the subsonic missile has a range of about 290 km and can engage targets beyond line of sight.

The missile incorporates a seeker and guidance package designed to operate in congested electromagnetic environments and against adversaries employing electronic countermeasures.

Industry officials previously told Janes that the weapon can engage both maritime and land targets and dynamically adjust its flight path against moving targets.

Blue Spear also employs a low sea-skimming flight profile intended to complicate detection and interception.