thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) on April 22, 2024 launched RSS Inimitable the fourth Type 218SG Invincible-class submarine for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) at a
ceremony in Kiel, Germany. The launch was attended by Teo
Chee Hean, Singapore's Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for
National Security, and Boris
Pistorius, Germany's Minister of Defense.
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| Image: TKMS. Note the 'panel' next to the visible torpedo tube muzzle, likely a sonar module. --- |
As I mentioned in
my "State
of ASEAN Submarine Forces: Singapore" article in June 2023,
with the introduction of the Invincible class, Singapore will have undergone
three generations (Challengers, Archers, now Invincibles) of submarines in the
space of 25 years.
After a contest between TKMS and Naval Group
(Scorpene), TKMS was awarded a contract for two boats (then called Type 218SGs)
in 2013, and a second order of two in 2017. Construction, in Kiel, Germany, on
the lead (renamed Invincible class sub) RSS Invincible, started
in 2014 - it was launched
in 2019. Then the second, RSS Impeccable and
third, RSS Illustrious, were both launched in 2022.
RSS Inimitable is the fourth and last of the class (as stated in a press
release by Singapore's Ministry of Defense). TKMS
will hand over the sub to the Republic of Singapore Navy in 2025,
after testing and outfitting.
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| Image: TKMS. Note flank sonar arrays (often classified items shielded from public view) have not yet been fitted. --- |
RSS Invincible
still remains in Kiel for RSN crew training at the German
Navy's Submarine Training Centre, at Eckernfoerde Naval Base.
RSS Impeccable arrived in Singapore in July
2023 (see
my article) for local sea trials and
workup, and will be fully operational and commissioned later this year.
Singapore media claim the RSS Inimitable will
be delivered to Singapore by 2028.
Here and above. Channel News Asia (cna) announced RSS Inimitable's launch.
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