S’pore navy to acquire new submarines & unmanned vessels
//STORY BY DARREN KHO /PHOTOS BY PIONEER PHOTOGRAPHERS & COURTESY OF RSN
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) signed contracts for two more Invincible-class submarines, as well as a suite of new unmanned mine-countermeasure capabilities to replace its Bedok-class vessels.
Singapore’s submarine fleet is set to get a boost – the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) signed a contract with ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems GmbH (TKMS) on 7 May for two more Invincible-class boats.
This procurement is part of the RSN’s long-term efforts to modernise its submarine fleet, ensuring a steady state of six to safeguard Singapore’s vital sea lanes.
Expanding RSN’s underwater fleet to six
The two new submarines are expected to be delivered in 2034, bolstering the RSN's submarine force alongside its four existing Invincible-class boats – RSS Invincible, RSS Impeccable, Illustrious and Inimitable.
The first two were commissioned last September, while the other two are undergoing trials in Germany and scheduled to return to Singapore by 2028.
Custom-built for the RSN’s needs, these German-made boats feature advanced Air Independent Propulsion technology. This makes them quieter and allows them to remain submerged up to 50 percent longer than their Archer-class predecessors.
Besides these enhanced stealth capabilities, the Invincible-class submarines are equipped with modern sensors and combat systems, enabling them to operate effectively in the busy and shallow waters surrounding Singapore.
New unmanned mine hunters
The RSN will also be acquiring a suite of new unmanned mine countermeasure capabilities as part of a contract signed with Singapore Technologies (ST) Engineering.
This includes Mine Countermeasure Unmanned Surface Vessels (MCM USVs), autonomous underwater vehicles and command & control infrastructures.
These capabilities will replace the RSN’s ageing Bedok-class Mine Countermeasure Vessels (MCMVs), which have been in service since 1995.
The new MCM USVs are expected to carry payloads like the Towed Synthetic Aperture Sonars (TSAS) for seabed scanning, Mine Neutraliser Systems for disposing of underwater threats, and Remote Weapon Systems.
They will also be equipped with autonomous navigation systems – including an indigenously developed Collision Detection and Collision Avoidance (CDCA) algorithm – to safely navigate the crowded waters of the Singapore Strait, where over 1,000 vessels pass daily.
The CDCA algorithm, which is also used by the RSN’s Maritime Security USVs, was tested for over 12 million km in simulations (the equivalent of 26 years of real-world testing!), where it clocked no collisions.
The Navy’s new unmanned mine countermeasure capabilities are expected to be delivered progressively from 2027.
