The last of four Invincible-class (Type 218SG) air-independent propulsion (AIP)-equipped diesel-electric submarines (SSK) ordered by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has been launched by the German shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS).
“Conceptualised and engineered jointly by the RSN, Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA), and industry partner tkMS, the Invincible-class submarines are customised for operations in Singapore's shallow and busy tropical waters, and they possess longer endurance and higher payloads,” the official statement on Monday read.
The Southeast Asian nation has taken a significant step in submarine modernization efforts by launching the submarine, marking the culmination of a multi-decade project aimed at constructing a vessel uniquely tailored to Singapore's needs amid escalating tensions in South China Sea.
The submarine will be named RSS Inimitable once commissioned.
The ceremonial launch of the vessel, conducted at the TKMS facilities in Kiel, Germany, was graced by the presence of Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security of Singapore, along with German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius.
This milestone follows the previous launches of RSS Invincible in February 2019, and RSS Impeccable and RSS Illustrious in December 2022. While RSS Invincible will remain in Kiel for training purposes, RSS Impeccable returned to Singapore in 2023.
“Singapore sits astride a focal point of international shipping routes. Close to 90,000 ships pass through the Straits of Malacca and Singapore each year, accounting for a third of global trade. The port of Singapore handled 39 million containers in 2023. The RSN plays an important role in ensuring the safe and secure passage of ships through the waters around Singapore,” Singaporean minister said during the launching ceremony.
“The RSN recognised then that developing its own submarine capability was critical for it to achieve the strategic mission of protecting vital sea routes and securing Singapore’s access to the seas. I have watched with tremendous satisfaction the great strides our submarine community has made,” he added.
According to previous reports, there was a disclosure of an extra order for another Type 218SG submarine in 2021, with no additional statements made by Singaporean officials.
