잠수함 싱가포르, 인빈시블급 잠수함 1, 2번함을 동시에 취역

[위종민]

4척 건조 예정인 싱가포르의 218SG형 인빈시블급 잠수함 1번함 인빈시블과 2번함 임페커블이 9월 24일 싱가포르 창이 해군기지에서 총리와 국방부장관이 참석한 가운데 취역식을 치렀습니다. 3번함 일러스트리어스는 2022년 12월, 4번함 인미터블은 2024년 4월 독일에서 진수됐으며 2028년 싱가포르 해군에 취역할 것으로 예상된다고 합니다. 

Republic of Singapore Navy commissions first two of four Invincible-class submarines - Naval News

RSS Impeccable at the commissioning ceremony (Singapore MINDEF photo)

Republic of Singapore Navy commissions first two of four Invincible-class submarinesThe Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has commissioned of the first two of its four Invincible-class submarines on Sept 24, marking the first time it is operating new-build submarines. 

Naval News Staff  25 Sep 2024

Story by Ed Sim

The RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable have officially entered service with the RSN following a ceremony at Singapore’s Changi Navy Base, in a ceremony attended by Singapore’s Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen.

Both submarines had been transported to Singapore from builder Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems’ (TKMS) shipyard in Kiel, Germany on board chartered commercial heavylift vessels in July and August. 

Singapore’s defence ministry says that the four Invincible-class diesel-electric submarines have been custom-built by TKMS for the RSN’s needs and are designed for operations in the shallow and busy tropical waters surrounding Singapore.

Colonel Fong Chi Onn, commander of the RSN’s 7th flotilla, says that these bespoke requirements have come from 25 years of experience in operating submarines in local and regional waters. 

Among the factors that had to be taken into account during the design for the submarines is the increased salinity and warmth of local waters, he added. 

Singapore has previously operated second-hand Challenger- and Archer-class submarines acquired from Sweden. These were formerly Sjöormen and Västergötland-class submarines that were heavily modified for use in Singapore’s tropical waters.  

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence says that the Invincible-class boats possess state-of-the-art capabilities, including high levels of automation, significant payload capacity, enhanced underwater endurance, and optimised ergonomics.

The Invincible-class submarines measure 70 metres in length and displace 2,000 tons surfaced and 2,200 tons submerged. They are fitted with eight torpedo tubes for heavyweight torpedoes and are believed to be able to deliver specials forces for covert operations.

Col. Fong also said that submarines are able to stay out at sea for up to 45 days, which he says is about 50% longer that Singapore’s Archer-class boats.  

He added that the improved ergonomics take into account the size and stature of Singaporeans, such as having the screens at the operators’ consoles being placed at more comfortable heights and valves and controls placed where they can be reached more easily. 

The boats have also been designed from the outset to accommodate female submariners among its crew of 28, and improved accommodation facilities mean that the crew no longer have to share bunks.

Singapore announced an initial order for two submarines, then designated as the Type 218SG by TKMS, in 2014 with a further two ordered in 2017. 

The two remaining Invincible-class submarines, Illustrious and Inimitable, have been launched in Germany in Dec 2022 and Apr 2024 respectively, and are expected to return to Singapore by 2028.

The Southeast Asian island nation is located at the end of Peninsular Malaysia at the maritime choke point where the busy shipping routes that run through the South China Sea meets the Malacca Strait.

As such, Singapore’s economy is highly dependent on the maritime trade that passes through its port, which is one of the busiest in the world, and defending its sea lines of communications has always been one of its military priorities.

Singapore was the first Southeast Asian nations to operate submarines and has built up a cadre of submariners and built up its knowledge of submarine operations in the Malacca Strait and South China Sea since its first boats started operations in 2004.

[백선호]

싱가포르는 잠수함 타는 사람들에게 돈을 두둑하게 줘서 우리나라처럼 관두고 다른 곳으로 빠지는 일은 없는지... -.-;;;

[위종민]

인구가 서울 인구의 절반 가량을 살짝 넘는데 저거 포함한 배와 잠수함의 승조원들 + 이글 40대, 팰콘 60대 등등등을 운용할 인원들을 모집하고 양성하는 게 신기합니다. 전차도 MBT를 세 자리 수로 운용하고.. ㄷㄷ