 Rendering of the Type 218SG submarine of the Republic of Singapore Navy.
| |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) - Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft |
| Operators |  Republic of Singapore Navy |
| Preceded by | Archer class |
| Built | 2014–present[1] |
| Planned | 4 |
| Completed | 4 |
| General characteristics | |
| Type | Attack submarine |
| Displacement | |
| Length | 70 m (229 ft 8 in) |
| Beam | 6.3 m (20 ft 8 in) |
| Installed power | 2 × 120 kW PEM fuel cells |
| Propulsion | |
| Speed | |
| Endurance | 28–42 days (4-6 weeks) underwater, without snorkeling.[2] |
| Complement | 28[3] |
| Sensors and processing systems |
|
| Armament |
|
| Notes | Customised variant of the Type 214 submarine, with specific design inferences from the Type 212 submarine.[5] |
The Invincible-class submarines, formally classified as the Type 218SG submarines, is a class of conventionally-powered attack submarines on order by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) from German-based naval conglomerate ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS).[6] Tailored to the operational requirements of the RSN, the model is derivative of the export-oriented Type 214 submarine, with specific design characteristics drawn from Type 212 submarines.[7] They feature several capabilities, including a substantial level of automation, a significant payload capacity, enhanced underwater endurance and superlative ergonomics.[8]
Singapore's Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) ordered a total of four Type 218SG submarines, of which two were ordered in 2013 and two more in 2017, as a replacement to the RSN's existing Challenger-class and Archer-class submarines.[9] Having been built and launched between 2019 and 2024, the class comprises four submarines, namely, the Invincible, the Impeccable, the Illustrious and the Inimitable; of the four, the first is currently utilized for the training of the RSN's submariners, while the second and third are undergoing local sea trials aimed at achieving operationalization.[10] The RSN plans to have all four submarines in active service by 2024.[11]
- ^ "IMDEX Asia 2017: Singapore Navy Procuring 2 more Type 218SG submarines from TKMS". navyrecognition.com. 16 May 2017.
- ^ "Why Russia Is Completely Ignoring This New German-Made Submarine". nationalinterest.org. 27 February 2020.
- ^ "Key TKMS Type 218SG details revealed after partial unveiling". gentleseas.blogspot.com. 3 September 2015.
- ^ "Invincible-class Submarine - See far, act fast". mindef.gov.sg. 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Invincible-Class Submarines". naval-technology.com. 11 November 2020.
- ^ "Launching of the Republic of Singapore's First Type 218SG Submarine". thyssenkrupp-marinesystems.com. 18 February 2019.
- ^ "Singapore Navy's First Type 218SG Invincible-Class Submarine Started Sea Trials". navalnews.com. 2 September 2020.
- ^ "'Submarines like BMWS': A closer look at the Navy's newest, custom-made German submarine". channelnewsasia.com. 2 July 2018.
- ^ "Singapore's first Invincible-class submarine begins sea trials". asiapacificdefensejournal.com. 6 September 2020.
- ^ "First Invincible-Class Submarine Arrives In Singapore". www.navalnews.com. 20 July 2023.
- ^ "Singapore to acquire more Type 218SG subs from Germany". defensenews.com. 16 May 2017.