Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has commissioned the navy’s first and second Invincible-class (Type 218SG) attack submarines in Changi.
The ceremony formalizes the induction of the vessels and their full operational capability for a “wide spectrum” of missions in national security, sea lines of communications protection, and regional peace.
The defense agency named a new orchid hybrid to commemorate the RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable’s entry into service during the event.
Singaporean Prime Minister and Finance Minister Lawrence Wong officiated the activity. The ships’ sponsors, Temasek Trust Chair Ho Ching, SingHealth Senior Advisor Prof. Ivy Ng, and HSBC Holdings Board Member Teo Swee Lian, were also present at the ceremony.
After the commissioning, Wong was invited to the RSS Impeccable for a briefing on the submarine’s systems and capabilities hosted by Singapore Navy Chief Rear Admr. Sean Wat and future Invincible-class operators.
Challenger, Archer Submarine Replacement Program
The lead Invincible submarine was launched in 2019 with an expected delivery date of 2020, but restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic moved the platform’s shipment to August 2024.
Meanwhile, the RSS Impeccable arrived at Charqi in June 2023 following its launch a year earlier in Kiel, Germany, where the remaining vessels under the four-submarine program are being completed by international defense contractor ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.
Once deployed, the Invincible fleet will gradually replace Singapore’s Challenger and Archer submarines, which have been operational since the 2000s.
The Invincible-Class Submarine
Singapore’s Invincible is a 70-meter (230-foot) long submarine equipped with heavyweight torpedoes, naval mines, and anti-ship missiles.
It can accommodate more than 20 sailors and has endurance capabilities to maintain underwater activity for up to six weeks.
The vessel is powered by fuel cells and diesel-electric propulsion for a speed of 20 knots (37 kilometers/23 miles per hour).