'Uniquely Singaporean': Singapore navy launches fourth Invincible-class submarine

SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) on Monday (Apr 22) launched its fourth Invincible-class submarine named Inimitable, which is designed for operations in Singapore's waters.

Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean officiated the launch ceremony at the thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) shipyard in Kiel, Germany.

Following a long-standing naval tradition, the submarine was launched by a lady sponsor, Mr Teo’s sister, Ms Teo Swee Lian.

The ceremony was witnessed by Federal Minister for Defence Boris Pistorius, Senior Minister of State for Defence Heng Chee How, Chief of German Navy Vice-Admiral Jan Christian Kaack, RSN Chief of Navy Rear-Admiral Sean Wat, CEO tkMS Oliver Burkhard, as well as senior defence officials from both countries.

“With the help of our German friends, we have delivered a submarine which is uniquely Singaporean – specially adapted for our waters, and fitted with advanced digital systems to meet our mission and operational needs,” said Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security.

In December 2022, the RSN launched the second and third of its new Invincible-class submarines, named Impeccable and Illustrious. The first - Invincible - was launched in 2019.

The Invincible-class submarines are customised for operations in Singapore’s shallow and busy tropical workers. They were conceptualised and engineered by the RSN, the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and tkMS.

Possessing longer endurance and higher payloads, the launch of the fourth submarine marks the “key milestone” in the navy’s modernisation journey, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said in a news release.

Following the launch, Inimitable will undergo a series of sea trials before delivery to Singapore.

Impeccable returned to Singapore last year and is undergoing a series of local sea trials before working up towards “full operationalisation and its commissioning later this year", added the ministry.

Mr Teo noted that Singapore sits at a focal point of international shipping routes. Close to 90,000 ships pass the Straits of Malacca and Singapore each year, accounting for a third of global trade.

"Our new submarines will enhance the Republic of Singapore Navy’s ability to fulfil her mission of protecting the sea lines of communication in our region," said Mr Teo, who is also Coordinating Minister for National Security.

"All countries stand to benefit when our seas are safe and secure."

He added that the fourth submarine is the “product of the longstanding and strong relationship” between Singapore and Germany.

The Singapore navy’s first missile boats in the 1970s were built in Germany, and it was one of the countries where Singapore officers were sent for submarine training.

“While today marks the launch of the last in this series of Invincible-class submarines, our partnership will continue. tkMS will continue to provide technical training and in-service support for the RSN and ST Engineering to operationalise these boats," Mr Teo said.

The Senior Minister added that the launch of Inimitable marked a “new era” in Singapore’s submarine journey.

“To the crew of Inimitable, I encourage you to live up to your boat’s name – to be matchless and unrivalled in the execution of your duty,” he added.

“And to our new generation of submariners, I exhort you to safeguard Singapore’s peace and security with tenacity and distinction, just as your submarine pioneers did before you.”

Ahead of the ceremony, Mr Teo and Mr Heng met Mr Pistorius. They expressed Singapore's appreciation for Germany's support for the Singapore Armed Forces' training in Germany since 2009, and for the bilateral collaboration on the Invincible-class submarine programme and training.

"Both sides reaffirmed the strong and substantive defence relations between Singapore and Germany, which has grown significantly across multiple domains," said MINDEF.