RSS Invincible is the lead ship of the Invincible-class submarines. She was launched on 18 February 2019 in Kiel, Germany.[1]
 RSS Invincible in drydock of the TKMS yard in Germany.
| |
| History | |
|---|---|
 Singapore | |
| Name | Invincible |
| Ordered | 2017 |
| Builder | ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, Kiel, Germany |
| Cost | $900 million |
| Launched | 18 February 2019 |
| Acquired | Expected 2022 |
| General characteristics | |
| Class and type | Invincible-class 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 | Air-independent propulsion |
| Speed | |
| Complement | 28 |
| Armament | 8 torpedo tubes |
Design
editThe customised design is oceangoing and larger than the Challenger and Archer-class submarines operated by the Singapore Navy. The design is expected to be influenced by the export Type 214 submarine or Type 216 submarine, which have been designed for the potential needs of several other navies (Australian, Canadian and Indian).[2][3] Features will include AIP and a combat system designed by both Atlas Elektronik and ST Electronics. The Invincible class also features an "X" rudder "which offers enhanced manoeuvrability in confined littoral waters, as opposed to the Type 214's cruciform rudder arrangement.
The X rudder is used on the Type 212 submarine and its larger and newer derivative, the Dolphin 2-class submarine built for the Israeli Navy which is almost identical in size to the Invincible-class submarine (Israel and Singapore have deep military ties and frequently procure the same weapon systems across their military platforms).
The subs are believed to have Horizontal Multi-Purpose Airlock, which can be used to launch either torpedoes, divers, or special forces assault teams, and also have the capability to launch cruise-missiles while submerged[4] with an option for Vertical Multi-Purpose Airlock, for launching missile vertically, like the Tomahawk, Blue Spear or Naval Strike Missile[5]
References
edit- ^ hermesauto (2019-02-18). "Invincible, first of Singapore's biggest and most advanced submarines, launches in Germany". The Straits Times. Retrieved 2020-07-27.
- ^ Singapore: German Subs’ Strategic Value
- ^ Singapore Buys New Class of German Attack Submarines
- ^ Roblin, Sebastien (2017-06-06). "Why Germany's New Super Stealth Submarines Could Take on Any Navy". The National Interest. Retrieved 2020-02-25.
- ^ Pete (2019-02-22). "Submarine Matters: What Singapore's Type 218SG Submarines Might Be Used For (Part 2)". Submarine Matters. Retrieved 2020-02-25.