German media revealed that Singapore has increased procurement of Type 218SG submarines. The Type 218SG submarine was developed by thyssenkrupp Marine Systems Shipyard (TKMS). This brings the total number of Type 218SG submarines to be operated by the Singapore navy to five.
The republic's first Navy Type 218SG submarine has been named the Invincible RSS. And for regional submarine analysts, Singapore's newest submarines are the most modern underwater asset, the largest in size and capability in Southeast Asia.
Singapore's latest submarine design designed specifically for the republic is said to be very similar to the Israeli Navy's Dolphin-2 submarine (likely sensors and other systems are similar as well).
Weighing around 2,200 tons, Singapore's newest submarine RSS Invincible can operate 50 percent longer than the republic's current submarines, as well as be equipped with much better weaponry and sensor systems.
At this point, the RSS Invincible submarine, which was launched in 2019, is currently undergoing tests at sea before being officially handed over to the Singapore Navy this year. It makes it the first Type 218SG submarine to be received out of five ordered.
Singapore's three newest type 218SG submarines, impeccable, illustrious and inimitable, which are brothers of invincible RSS, are also being built at the TKMS shipyard in Kiel, Germany at the moment.
The fifth Type 218SG submarine acquired by Singapore in the final days of German Chancellor Angela Merkel's government has not been named or informed of the date of its delivery to the republic.
Three Singapore submarines, after the Invincible RSS are expected to enter Singapore's naval service from 2024-2025 onwards.
The inclusion of rss invincible and three other siblings will push the underwater capabilities of the Singapore Navy to a higher level, which has so far staked out the used submarines it acquired, namely the Archer class and challenger class.
There is no denying that singapore's submarine power with the inclusion of the INVINCIBLE RSS and its four other brothers is the most powerful and capable in the region.
Its Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen has reportedly said that as the navies of India, South Korea, Thailand and Indonesia work to further expand its submarine power, Singapore's move to buy four Type 218SG (now five) submarines from Germany is the right move.
Myanmar also has two submarines, although it is provided by China and India.
He said because Singapore lies on two of the world's most important trade routes, the Strait of Malacca and the South China Sea, its submarines will ensure that world trade routes can continue to be used not only for the republic but also the world.
From the statement of the Singapore Defense Minister, we can guess that Singapore's newest submarines will make the South China Sea and Malacca Strait as their playground where they will operate to ensure the Sea Line of Communication (SLOC) is always open for business.
Singapore's defence doctrine has always focused on maritime trade because it is a very important factor for its survival as a country that relies on world trade and its military will always be free of all threats.
Another interesting thing about the Singapore Navy Type 218SG submarine is that it is specifically designed to be able to operate effectively in shallow seas and busy with commercial vessels.
As found in the waters around the Southeast Asian region that is busy with maritime trade.
"One of the key features of Singapore's latest submarine design is its ability to carry out special forces missions," submarine expert H I Sutton said on the defence news portal.
He was referring to the Horizontal Multi Purpose Airlock system that can launch torpedoes, divers and special forces (commandos) because one of the main tasks he outlined the submarine would undertake was to deal with the threat of terrorist groups.
Singapore's submarines are also said to have the option to be equipped with Vertical Multi Purpose Airlocks to launch missiles vertically, with some analysts saying Singapore is preparing its navy to operate Tomahawk cruise missiles if needed.
Even so, for now, Singapore's newest submarines will most likely be equipped with Harpoon missiles.
All of Singapore's newest submarines weigh 2,000-2,200 tons (when below the surface) and have a speed of 15 knots. It is 70 meters long and more than 6 meters wide.
This Singapore submarine has eight torpedo funnels that can not only launch 533mm caliber torpedoes but also anti-ship missiles.
It will also be equipped with Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) using Fuel Cell technology that allows the submarine to dive 50 percent longer than other submarines. The combat system was designed by Atlas Electronics and ST Elektronics.
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