Singapore LIKEs Invincible Class Submarines: Special Designed To Operate In Tropical Waters, Disposing Of Commercial Aircraft Facilities

PM Lee Hsien Loong at the launch of the Impeccable and Illustrious submarines for the Singapore Navy. (Source: Singapore's Ministry of Defense)

JAKARTA - Singapore launched two new Invincible Class submarines, with the country's leaders emphasizing the importance of the fleet to support its very busy sea activities.

The two ships are called Impeccable and Illustrious. The launch was carried out at the manufacturer's shipyard, ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Kiel, Germany, witnessed by Singaporean Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on December 13.

Stressing the importance of submarines during his speech at the launch, PM Lee said, "Singapore is a maritime country and we rely heavily on the movement of free and unobstructed goods and services across the sea for our prosperity and survival," citing Singapore's Ministry of Defense website Dec. 30.

"The RSN (Singapore Navy) has an important mission to keep our Sea Communications Path open. Submarines provide RSN with additional capabilities to fulfill its role," continued PM Lee.

The Invincible-class submarine was designed specifically for operations in Singapore's shallow and busy tropical waters, with longer durability and higher payloads.

After launch, Impeccable and Illustrious, will undergo a series of sea tests before being delivered to Singapore. The first Invincible submarine was launched in 2019, while the fourth submarine Tak Initible, is still under construction.

Furthermore, PM Lee also thanked TKMS and the German Navy for their support and expertise, noting the growing defense relationship between the two countries.

"The submarine launched today is a tangible manifestation of our close and productive cooperation," he said as quoted by CNA.

"Our collaboration in this strategic capability underscores the depth of the partnership and trust between the navy and our defense industry," he said.

The Invincible-class submarine features X-shaped stern steering for more precision maneuvers, and propulsion systems based on fuel cell technology. This allows it to stay submerged about 50 percent longer than the Archer-class submarine.

The 70m-long submarine also has a higher charge of eight torpedo tubes, and can move at a surface speed of more than 10 knots - about 19kmh - or more than 15 knots while submerged.

Each ship is manned by 28 crew members, and built with an adapted operator console, to match the framework of smaller RSN personnel.

All crew members also have their own beds for sleep, contrary to the same bed-sharing practice. There will also be spare beds to accommodate additional personnel. Each bed will have a media entertainment system similar to that found on commercial aircraft.

Unlike Archer-class submarines and current Challengers, which require crews to pass through public spaces for bathing, Invincible-class submarines have enabling facilities to ensure privacy for female submarine crews in the future.

The Defense Ministry said the submarine plans to be sent to Singapore starting in 2023, following a series of sea tests.

In addition, the training room for the crew of the new Invincible class submarine will also be operationalized in 2024.