Singapore receives first of the four German-made Invincible-class submarines

Asia-Pacific, Europe, News July 24, 2023 , by IRIA No Comments

Singapore received the first of its four Type-218-SG Invincible-class submarines. The German-made submarine, named Impeccable, was handed over to the Singaporean Navy in a homecoming ceremony held at RSS Singapura, Changi Naval Base.

Singapore’s Ministry of Defense released a statement regarding the arrival of the submarine. The statement said that Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat, senior officers, and submariners were present during the handing-over ceremony. Ministry’s statement said that the four submarines are custom-built for Singapore’s needs.

These Invincible-class submarines possess high levels of automation, significant payload capacity, and enhanced underwater endurance. The submarine’s interior ergonomics have been optimized for the Singaporean naval crew, whose height ranges from 160 centimeters to 185 centimeters.

Launched in Kiel, Germany, in December 2022, Impeccable is one of four Invincible-class submarines. Each submarine costs around $450 million. The German-made submarines are set to replace Singapore’s aging Archer-class and Challenger-class submarines that were built between the 1960s and 1980s. Singapore acquire the submarines from Sweden in 2005 and customized them for operations in waterways around its port.

*^{An Invincible-class submarine undergoing sea trials. The submarine is custom-designed for operations in Singapore’s shallow and busy waters. (Image Credit: Republic of Singapore Navy)}*

Invincible-class submarines are 230 feet long and displace 2,200 tons of payload when submerged. Equipped with an X-rudder configuration like the ThyssenKrupp-made Type 212 design, Invincible-class submarines have high maneuverability in shallow and congested waters, which makes them highly suitable to operate around the Southeast Asian region.

Invincible-class submarine specifications

Length: 70 metres
Surface Displacement: 2,000 tonnes
Submerged Displacement: 2,200 tonnes
Speed (Surfaced): In excess of 10 knots
Speed (Submerged): In excess of 15 knots
Armament: 8 Torpedo tubes
Crew: 28

The submarine has the capability of staying submerged for approximately 50% longer compared to its predecessor, Archer-class submarines, as it is fitted with advanced air-independent propulsion system-based fuel cell technology.

Singapore's Invincible-class submarines — *^{Singapore’s Type-218-SG Invincible-class submarines. (Image Credit: CNA/Twitter)}*

Germany has so far developed two of the four submarines. The leading submarine of its class, the Invincible, remains in Germany to support crew training. The last two of the four submarines are currently under construction in Germany. After being handed over to the Singapore Navy, the Impeccable would go through sea trials and other operational capability tests before being commissioned into the naval fleet.

Located at a strategic chokepoint in the Southeast Asian region, Singapore sits astride the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea — some of the busiest commercial shipping lanes in the world. Singapore’s economy is highly dependent upon shipping routes and the global maritime trade.

Despite being one of the smallest nations in the region, Singapore boasts a significantly large naval fleet compared to its size, patrolling to maintain the peace and stability of the important maritime trading routes. Singapore is also a close ally of the United States and has a long-term defense cooperation agreement with the U.S. Navy that allows American military ships and aircraft to use its facilities.