Through the speech of its Minister of Defense, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, Singapore announced on March 3 its intention to purchase two new Type 218SG attack submarines from Germany. This acquisition expands the already purchased fleet of four Invincible-class submarines, the designation given to these German-built vessels, which are replacing the aging Challenger-class. The new submarines are expected to be fully operational by 2028.
Seeking to justify the decision, Singapore’s Defense Minister stated that maintaining a fleet of only four Type 218SG attack submarines would pose challenges for the Singapore Navy in sustaining current operational requirements. Citing examples from neighboring nations such as Australia and Indonesia, the minister explained that the stricter maintenance periods required for modern submarine fleets can reduce their availability for naval operations. Therefore, acquiring a larger number of units is necessary to ensure greater stability for the institution.
Addressing the matter, Dr. Ng Eng Hen stated before the Committee of Supplies:“But four submarines are not the optimal option for a fleet. Submarines are subject to more rigorous and frequent maintenance cycles with strict inspections, as one can imagine, since they need to operate under intense pressure—literally. As a result, their operational time is sometimes relatively reduced, which is why most navies operating submarines have more than four (…) Having demonstrated that the Invincible-class submarines can perform as expected in tropical waters, the SAF plans to acquire two more submarines, completing a total of six as the stable state for our submarine fleet.”
It is worth noting that the modern Type 218SG submarines will be the first brand-new submarines operated by the Singapore Navy. The RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable are expected to enter service by September 2024. Regarding their characteristics, these submarines measure 70 meters in length and 6.3 meters in beam, with a displacement of 2,200 tons. Among their main advantages, they feature a high degree of task automation, allowing for a reduced crew, as well as an advanced Air-Independent Propulsion (AIP) system that enables extended underwater endurance while also decreasing their detectability by enemy radar.
Images used for illustrative purposes.
You may also like: U.S. awards Lockheed Martin a modernization contract for Singapore Air Force F-16 fighters
