Invincible-class submarine
Rendering of the Type 218SG submarine of the Republic of Singapore Navy. | |
| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders | ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) - Howaldtswerke-Deutsche Werft |
| Operators | Republic of Singapore Navy |
| Preceded by | Archer class |
| Built | 2014–present |
| Planned | 6 |
| Building | 6 |
| Completed | 4 |
The Invincible-class submarines, formally classified as the Type 218SG submarines, is a class of conventionally-powered attack submarines on order by the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) from German-based naval conglomerate ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Tailored to the operational requirements of the RSN, the model is derivative of the export-oriented Type 214 submarine, with specific design characteristics drawn from Type 212 submarines. They feature several capabilities, including a substantial level of automation, a significant payload capacity, enhanced underwater endurance and superlative ergonomics.
Singapore's Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) ordered a total of four Type 218SG submarines, of which two were ordered in 2013 and two more in 2017, as a replacement to the RSN's existing Challenger-class and Archer-class submarines. Having been built and launched between 2019 and 2024, the class comprises four submarines, namely, the Invincible, the Impeccable, the Illustrious and the Inimitable; of the four, the first is currently utilized for the training of the RSN's submariners, while the second and third are undergoing local sea trials aimed at achieving operationalization. The RSN plans to have all four submarines in active service by 2024.