Latest news with #Illustrious
The Star
08-05-2025
- Business
- The Star
Singapore to acquire two more invincible-class submarines
SINGAPORE: (Bernama) Singapore's Defence Ministry (Mindef) has signed a contract with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to acquire two additional Invincible-class submarines, growing its submarine fleet to six. Mindef said in a statement on Thursday that the additional submarines are projected for delivery from 2034 as part of the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) submarine force renewal programme to meet operational requirements. "Customised by the Defence Science and Technology Agency for Singapore's needs, the Invincible-class submarines are designed for operations in shallow and busy tropical waters and to be leanly crewed by the RSN's specialised submariners. "The acquisition of the two additional Invincible-class submarines further enhances the RSN's ability to protect our sea lines of communication, with a steady state of six submarines for our submarine fleet,' it said. The procurement was previously announced by the ministry at the Committee of Supply 2025 debate in Parliament. Mindef said two of the four existing Invincible-class submarines, RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable, have been commissioned in September 2024. "The trials and acceptance for the third and fourth submarines, Illustrious and Inimitable, are progressing well in Germany, and they are expected to return to Singapore by 2028,' it added. - Bernama
Straits Times
08-05-2025
- Business
- Straits Times
Mindef signs contract to acquire two more Invincible-class submarines
Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems CEO Oliver Burkhard (left) and Defence Science and Technology Agency chief executive Ng Chad-Son at the contract signing ceremony on May 7. PHOTO: DSTA SINGAPORE - The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) announced on May 8 that it has signed a contract with Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to acquire two additional Invincible-class submarines. This will bring the number of submarines in Singapore's fleet to a total of six, which the ministry said 'further enhances the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) ability to protect our sea lines of communication'. The move was previously announced at the budget debate in March, when Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said that Singapore planned several hardware upgrades for the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF). At the time, Dr Ng noted that the RSN's submarine programme was on track, but two additional Invincible-class submarines were needed as four would not be optimal for a submarine fleet, due to the vessels requiring more rigorous and frequent maintenance cycles as they operate under intense pressure. Mindef said on May 8 that the submarines are part of the RSN's approach to long-term capability development. 'Customised by the Defence Science and Technology Agency for Singapore's needs, the Invincible-class submarines are designed for operations in shallow and busy tropical waters, and to be leanly crewed by the RSN's specialised submariners,' said the ministry. The additional submarines are projected for delivery from 2034 . Two of the four existing Invincible-class submarines, RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable, were commissioned in September 2024. Mindef added that the trials and acceptance for the third and fourth submarines, Illustrious and Inimitable, are progressing well in Germany, and they are expected to arrive in Singapore by 2028. Join ST's WhatsApp Channel and get the latest news and must-reads.
AsiaOne
08-05-2025
- Business
- AsiaOne
Singapore Navy acquires 2 additional Invincible-class submarines, bringing fleet to 6, Singapore News
The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) has signed a contract with Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems to acquire two more Invincible-class submarines, growing its fleet to six from 2034 onwards. The procurement of two additional submarines was previously announced by Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Committee of Supply 2025 debate in Parliament on March 3. "Four submarines are not optimal for a submarine fleet," said Dr Ng. He explained that submarines are subjected to more rigorous and frequent maintenance cycles as they operate under intense pressure. This is in turn affects operational time. "This is why most navies that operate submarines have more than four — Australia, Indonesia and Vietnam", added Dr Ng. The Republic of Singapore Navy started building four custom-made Invincible-class submarines, in Germany, in 2017. Two of the four existing submarines, the RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable, were commissioned in September 2024 and have begun operations in Singapore waters. Mindef also said that trials and acceptance for the third and fourth submarines, Illustrious and Inimitable are progressing well in Germany, and they are expected to return to Singapore by 2028. The Invincible-class submarine is designed for operations in Singapore's shallow and tropical waters. Custom-built for Singapore's needs, the four submarines possess state-of-the-art capabilities, including high levels of automation, significant payload capacity, enhanced underwater endurance, and ergonomics optimised for the Asian physique. Each submarine is 70m long, weighs 2,000 tonnes, and requires a 28-man crew to operate. [[nid:702715]] editor@
