Singapore Launches Two More Invincible-Class Submarines

Yulian Ardiansyah - : Dec 14, 2022 - : 6:27 pm

Singapore’s Prime Minister (PM), Lee Hsien Loong officiated the launch ceremony of two Invincible-class submarines for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) at ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) shipyard in Kiel, Germany on Tuesday (Dec. 13). "Singapore is a maritime nation...

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"Singapore is a maritime nation and we are highly reliant on the free and unimpended movement of goods and services across the sea for our prosperity and indeed survival,” he said during the launch ceremony. “The RSN has the crucial mission of keeping our Sea Lines of Communication open. Submarines provide the RSN an added capability to fulfil its role."

Named RSS Impeccable and RSS Illlustrious, these two vessels are the second and third of four submarines Singapore ordered from TKMS in two contracts, first in 2013 and in 2017. The first submarine, RSS Invincible, was launched in 2019 and is expected to be commissioned within the next few weeks. The recently launched two Invincible-class submarines will undergo sea trials before being delivered to RSN in 2023.

The fourth Invincible-class submarine, RSS Inimitable, is currently under construction and is expected to be delivered in 2024.

The Invincible-class, also formally classified as the Type-218SG submarine, is a class of attack submarines built by TKMS for the RSN. Its design is derived from the Type-214 submarine featuring a high level of automation, increased payload capacity, improved underwater performance as well as better ergonomics for its 28 crews.

With a length of 70 meters, a 6.3 meters beam, and a displacement of 2,000 tonnes (surfaced, 2,200 tonnes submerged), each of the Invincible-class submarines is powered by a diesel-electric and Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) system enabling them to reach a maximum speed of at least 10 knots when surfaced, or 19 knots when submerged. The application of AIP technology reduces their sound signature while also enabling them to stay underwater for up to six weeks without a need to surface, increasing their stealth characteristics.

Equipped with eight 533 mm, and two 650 mm launch tubes, the Invincible-class submarines can also launch a variety of Submarine-Launched Cruise Missiles (SLCM) aside from the conventional torpedoes and naval mines.

[Photo: MINDEF Singapore]

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