Prime Minister Lawrence Wong and senior defence officials presided over commissioning the Republic of Singapore Navy’s first two Invincible-class submarines, RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable.
These submarines, designed for the nation’s unique operational environment, are now fully operational, enhancing Singapore’s ability to safeguard its waters.
The ceremony was held at RSS Singapura—Changi Naval Base on September 24, 2024. Singapore’s Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) officially inducted its first Type-218 Invincible-class submarine, the Impeccable, on July 20, 2023.
Government and military figures attended the event. Together with the two submarines, the RSN aims to address a spectrum of operational needs, from protecting Singapore’s sea lines of communication to ensuring the safety of the sea.
Prime Minister Wong emphasised the submarines’ importance during his address, stating, “The commissioning of the Invincible and Impeccable marks a significant milestone in Singapore’s naval defence capabilities. These advanced vessels will not only protect our national waters but also play a vital role in ensuring the security of key maritime routes in the region.”
Capabilities for a unique operational environment
Built in Kiel, Germany, the Invincible-class submarines have been designed to meet the unique challenges of operating in Singapore’s shallow and congested waters. With high levels of automation, these submarines are equipped with payload capacities and optimised ergonomic designs to ensure their crew’s effectiveness during operations.
The submarines are equipped to remain underwater for extended periods, which is useful for missions in tropical environments like those in Southeast Asia.
As such, faced with the increasing obsolescence of its Navy’s submarine arm, the Singapore Navy placed an order for four Invincible-class submarines. The Invincible-class submarines, also known as Type 218SG, are reported to be based on the Type-214 submarine and are, in fact, a customised variant of the export model Type-214 and incorporate some features from Type-212 submarines as well, according to GlobalData’s “Singapore Defense Market 2024-2029” report.
Future submarine development
The ceremony also highlighted the future of the RSN’s submarines, as development continues on two additional Invincible-class submarines—RSS Illustrious and RSS Inimitable—which are scheduled to join the fleet by 2028.
Prime Minister Wong concluded his speech by reaffirming Singapore’s dedication to contributing to regional peace and stability, stating, “As we strengthen our defence capabilities, Singapore remains committed to being a responsible and constructive player in the region. Our submarines will serve not only as a deterrent but as a key asset in supporting regional cooperation and peace.”
