Singapore commissions first two Invincible-class submarines

The Republic of Singapore Navy's first Invincible (Type 218SG)-class submarine, RSS Invincible, seen here at its commissioning ceremony on 24 September 2024 at Changi Naval Base. (Janes/Ridzwan Rahmat)

Singapore has commissioned the country's first two Invincible (Type 218SG)-class diesel-electric submarines (SSKs).

Both vessels, which have been named RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable respectively, were inducted into service at a single commissioning service that was held on 24 September at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base.

The vessels are part of a programme to equip the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) with a total of four Type 218SG SSKs.

The boats were ordered under two separate contracts signed between German shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) and Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in 2013 and 2017 respectively.

“RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable are now fully operational,” reads a statement issued by MINDEF to mark the vessels' commissioning.

“Together with the RSN's existing fleet of submarines, ships, and units, they will fulfil a wide spectrum of operations to safeguard Singapore's waters, protect its sea lines of communication, and contribute to regional peace and security,” the statement added.

Invincible was launched by tkMS in February 2019, but it remained in Kiel, Germany, for several more years after that for submariner training purposes.

Impeccable was launched in December 2022 with the third-of-class Illustrious.

However, the second-of-class Impeccable arrived in Singapore in July 2023 ahead of the programme's lead ship, given Invincible's training stint in Germany. Invincible arrived in Singapore in August 2024.