Singapore's first-of-class Type 218SG submarine arrives home

A file image of Impeccable sailing into Changi Naval Base when it arrived in Singapore in 2023. Its first-of-class sister vessel, Invincible , arrived in Singapore on 27 August 2024. (Singapore Ministry of Defence)

The first-of-class Type 218SG diesel-electric submarine (SSK) on order for the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has arrived home.

Publicly available automatic identification system (AIS) data indicate that the heavy lift transport ship, MV Rolldock Star , arrived alongside Changi Naval Base at about 1140 h local time on 27 August.

It is known to be carrying the SSK, which will be in service as RSS Invincible, once commissioned.

Janes first reported in July 2024 that Invincible had completed a training stint for Singapore submariners in Germany and was being prepared to be shipped home.

Invincible is one of four Type 218SG SSKs ordered under two separate contracts signed between German shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) and Singapore's Ministry of Defence in 2013 and 2017.

It was launched by tkMS in February 2019 but has remained in Germany since for submariner training purposes.

The second-of-class Impeccable was launched in December 2022 with the third-of-class, Illustrious . The final boat in the programme, Inimitable , took to the water in April 2024.

Impeccable was the first vessel to be delivered to the RSN. It arrived at Singapore's Changi Naval Base in July 2023 and began sea trials in local waters during the same month. For its journey to Singapore, Impeccable was transported on another heavy lift transport ship, MV Rolldock Storm .