Singapore navy launches second and third Invincible-class submarines

KIEL, Germany: With a smash of champagne bottles in opposition to their hulls, two new Invincible-class submarines had been christened by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) on Tuesday (Dec 13).

Named Impeccable and Illustrious, the submarines are the second and third of 4 customised Kind 218SG submarines constructed by ThyssenKrupp Marine Techniques (TKMS) for the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).

The primary – Invincible – was launched in 2019 at a ceremony additionally held on the TKMS shipyard in Kiel.

Tuesday’s ceremony was officiated by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and attended by German Chancellor Olaf Scholz.

Following a long-standing naval custom, the 2 submarines had been launched by a girl sponsor, Mr Lee’s spouse Ho Ching.

The ceremony was additionally witnessed by Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, Overseas Affairs Minister Vivian Balakrishnan and defence chiefs from Singapore and Germany.

In an deal with, Mr Lee emphasised the significance of submarines in serving to Singapore – as a maritime nation – maintain open its sea routes for the motion of products and supplies.

The nation is extremely reliant on free and unimpeded maritime commerce for prosperity and survival, he stated.

Mr Lee additionally thanked TKMS and the German Navy for his or her assist and sharing of experience, noting the rising defence relations between the 2 nations.

“The submarines being launched at the moment are a tangible manifestation of our shut and productive cooperation,” he stated.

“Our collaboration on this strategic functionality underscores the depth of partnership and belief between our navies and our defence industries.”

In a separate assertion on Tuesday, the Ministry of Overseas Affairs (MFA) stated that Mr Lee and Chancellor Scholz reaffirmed Singapore and Germany’s “longstanding and wonderful bilateral ties” – specifically, in defence and financial cooperation.

In addition they mentioned how Singapore and Germany may work collectively as strategic companions to deal with international challenges, together with supporting free commerce, enhancing provide chain resilience, and strengthening financial linkages between the 2 areas.

“On this regard, the 2 leaders burdened that ASEAN-EU relations and cooperation had been of strategic significance,” stated MFA.

WHAT ARE THE INVINCIBLE-CLASS SUBMARINES?

Designed for operations in Singapore’s shallow and busy tropical waters, the Invincible-class submarine options an X-shaped stern rudder for extra exact manoeuvres, and propulsion techniques primarily based on gasoline cell know-how.

This enables it to remain submerged for about 50 per cent longer than the Archer-class submarines.

The 70m-long submarine additionally has a better payload of eight torpedo tubes, and might journey at a floor pace of greater than 10 knots – about 19kmh – or greater than 15 knots when submerged.