All aboard! PM Wong commissions first 2 Invincible-class submarines

All aboard! PM Wong commissions first 2 Invincible-class submarines
RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable were commissioned by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Sept 24 at Changi Naval Base.
PHOTO: AsiaOne/Sean Ler

After undergoing a series of sea trials, the first two of Singapore's four Invincible-class (Type 218SG) submarines are ready to join the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s fleet. 

The two vessels, RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable, were officially commissioned by Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Tuesday (Sept 24) afternoon at Changi Naval Base. 

During the ceremony, PM Wong inspected the Guard of Honour and presented the Commissioning Warrant to the Commanding Officers of the two submarines, Lieutenant Colonel (LTC) Phang Chun Chieh and LTC Chan Wei Sheng Daniel. 

The Invincible-class submarines were built by the Navy, Defence Science and Technology Agency and German shipbuilder thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tKMS). 

They were designed to operate in Singapore's shallow and busy tropical waters, and possess state-of-the-art capabilities, including high levels of automation, significant payload capacity, enhanced underwater endurance, and optimised ergonomics for the Asian physique. 

Each submarine is 70m long, weighs 2,000 tonnes, and requires a 28-member crew to operate. 

Together with the Navy's existing fleet of submarines, ships and units, they will fulfil a wide spectrum of operations to safeguard Singapore's waters, said the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) on Tuesday. 

Mindef added that the development projects of the third and fourth Invincible-class submarines, Illustrious and Inimitable, are going well in Germany. Both vessels are expected to return to Singapore waters by 2028.

With the commissioning of the Invincible and Impeccable, some of the older Challenger-class submarines will be decommissioned within the next few months, said Colonel Fong Chi Onn, Commander of the 7th Flotilla. 

PM Wong, accompanied by Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security Teo Chee Hean, Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen as well as senior officials from Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces, gave a speech at the commissioning ceremony.

He acknowledged the Navy's "steep learning curve" in its submarine journey, which started off with the procurement of second-hand submarines from Sweden in the 1990s. 

"Today, we stand confident not just to procure new-build submarines, but also to customise them to meet our specific operational requirements," he said. 

PM Wong also noted this is the 25th year of Singapore's submarine journey, and thanked the pioneer submariners for their commitment towards building the country's submarine capabilities.

Addressing the crew of the RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable, PM Wong encouraged them to carry on the legacy of those before them. 

"You will write the next chapter of our submarine story, and as you do so, may you embody the values of commitment, professionalism and excellence in all that you do," he said.

"As you navigate the depths of the oceans, may you remain steadfast in your mission and disciplined in the face of challenges.

"May you always live by the creed of the submariner – to be the Invisible and Invincible warriors of the undersea, ever ready to protect our nation with quiet strength and unshakeable resolve."

New vessels 'primary enabler' for female submariners

Captain Loh Jia Yi is one of the Republic of Singapore Navy's first female submariners. PHOTO: AsiaOne/Sean Ler

Improved technologies aside, the Invincible-class submarines have also paved the way for female navy personnel to serve as crew — as the vessels come with dedicated female bunks and toilets.

When the Navy began its recruitment for female submarine crew in 2022, Captain Loh Jia Yi saw it as a golden opportunity to challenge herself professionally. 

"These new boats are the primary enabler for me to join the submarine force, because of the female bunks and toilets," the 26-year-old told AsiaOne ahead of the commissioning ceremony.

She joined the Navy in 2017 as a naval officer, and is currently the Assistant Operations Officer of RSS Invincible.

There are currently four qualified female submariners in the Navy, and two who are undergoing training.

As one of the pioneer female submariners, Loh takes it upon herself to pave the way for more women to join her. 

"A lot of my motivation comes from this sense of responsibility, knowing that we play an active part in setting the foundations to make the flotilla a better place for females who want to join in the future." 

READ ALSO: 'Uniquely Singaporean': Navy launches 4th Invincible-class submarine in Germany

No part of this article can be reproduced without permission from AsiaOne.

claudiatan@asiaone.com

For more original AsiaOne articles, visit here.

homepage

trending

trending
    'We both want the best for Singapore': Ex-NMP Calvin Cheng resolves differences with ex-SDP chairman over Gaza comments
    Lee Teng and wife welcome their rainbow baby
    Ninja Van cuts 12% of Singapore workforce after 2 rounds of layoffs in 2024
    Off-duty SCDF officer killed in Punggol crash; 15-year-old taken to hospital
    More than just a bad habit: How Kpods affect youths' physical and mental health
    Luxury items seized in $3b money laundering case handed over to Deloitte for liquidation
    'We have to be ready anywhere, anytime': Off-duty healthcare professionals from Singapore revive elderly man in JB
    Taylor Swift announces new album called The Life of a Showgirl
    Young Malaysian couple's first trip ends in tragedy after motorbike crashes on bend in Cameron Highlands
    Huang Zitao and Xu Yiyang to hold wedding in October with 100 fans in attendance
    Ong Ye Kung rebuts KF Seetoh's claims regarding treatment of stallholders at Bukit Canberra Hawker Centre
    Popular Japanese restaurant Shaburi & Kintan Buffet to shutter after 9 years

Singapore

Singapore
    • 'Proof of love between 2 nations': Malaysian man creates SG60 shirt to thank Singaporeans who helped him through hard times
    • Cigarette to blame? Tree in Jurong catches fire after exterminators reportedly remove beehive
    • Vers likely to be launched in next decade: Chee Hong Tat
    • 'A worrying trend': Speeding violations surge 45% in first half of 2025 compared to same period in 2024
    • Service on North East Line resumes
    • PM Wong to deliver National Day Rally speech on Aug 17
    • More than 53,000 retail workers to see wage increase of at least $130 from Sept 1
    • Man suffers swollen ankle after PMA 'operating at high speed' hits him along Ang Mo Kio walkway
    • Hyflux issued preference shares to fund Tuaspring as it had problems getting bank loans: Prosecution
    • Criminal trial of Hyflux founder Olivia Lum and 5 others starts on Aug 11

Entertainment

Entertainment
    • 'My sweat seeped through the seams': Zhang Zetong on 'suffering' and working with new virtual technology for drama Perfectly Imperfect
    • 'I felt I would die if I closed my eyes': Ada Choi's husband Max Zhang recalls suffering heart attack in April
    • Jet Li's eldest daughter getting married
    • 'Fate is unstoppable': Michelle Chia weds real estate agent boyfriend in whirlwind marriage
    • Noah Centineo to star in Rambo origins movie
    • Maluma stops concert to reprimand fan who brought along a baby
    • Tom Holland admits putting on his Spider-Man suit 'feels different this time'
    • Katy Perry shows off bruises and scrapes from her Lifetimes tour
    • Pixie Lott plays her 'last gig', due to deliver second child in early September
    • Celeb pawrents: Actress Sharon Au’s cat Rudon has a French passport

Lifestyle

Lifestyle
    • Singapore ranks top in Asia for work-life balance and 25th in the world, according to Remote study
    • Embracing Singlish as part of our identity: Paiseh for what?
    • One-Michelin-starred Restaurant Euphoria shutters, chef-owner looks to 'rethink the future' of his cuisine
    • I try 11 new Michelin Bib Gourmand 2025 eateries to see if they're worth the hype, here's my honest take
    • BYD Atto 2 electric compact SUV launched in Singapore
    • I've lived in Twin Vew for 4 years: What's it like living without an MRT station nearby
    • Even cheaper than Bali: 5 hidden Asian islands you (and your wallet) will love
    • 4 condo layouts and features buyers are moving away from in 2025
    • How to get your driving licence in Singapore - fast
    • 'Last' meals: How durian, chilli crab, and KFC bring comfort to the dying in Singapore

Digicult

Digicult
    • Slim, sleek, but slightly too short-lived: Samsung Galaxy S25 Edge review
    • World's best Dota 2 teams to compete for $1m prize pool in Singapore in November
    • Apple Maps brings 3D landmarks and road-level realism to Singapore
    • The best AI tutor for O-level subjects: ChatGPT, Gemini or The Wise Otter?
    • Vivo X Fold5: A foldable contender with a few class-leading surprises
    • Here's everything in GPT-5 that's new and different than OpenAI's previous AI models
    • Australia regulator says YouTube, others 'turning a blind eye' to child abuse material
    • ZipZap car subscription service launches in Singapore
    • Sony RX1R III brings back the compact full-frame but not the Sony playbook
    • China's Premier Li proposes global AI co-operation organisation

Money

Money
    • Up 4.3%: Singapore's economy grew in Q2 despite US tariff fears
    • StarHub buys rest of MyRepublic's broadband business in $105m deal; comes after Simba buys M1
    • Keppel to sell M1 unit's telco business to Simba for $1.43b
    • Singapore can deliver and thrive in a fragmented global economy: Morgan Stanley analysts
    • Over 70% of Ang Mo Kio's 4-room million-dollar resales in the past 3 years came from this project
    • DBS beats expectations with $2.82b net profit for second quarter, maintains 2025 outlook
    • Carro targets US IPO with over $3.8b valuation, sources say
    • US companies spending record amounts to protect executives as threats rise
    • Electric car-sharing firm BlueSG to wind down current operations on Aug 8
    • Singapore's most expensive neighbourhoods are changing - 4 buyer trends that prove it in 2025

Latest

Latest
  • Kenyan activist tries to block new Ritz-Carlton safari lodge opening
  • Democrats fret about which city may be next as National Guard gathers in US capital
  • White House says Trump-Putin meeting is a 'listening exercise'
  • Homeless who refuse to co-operate with Trump crackdown may go to jail, White House says
  • Israel bombards Gaza City; Hamas leader visits Cairo in bid to salvage ceasefire talks
  • Putin holds call with Kim, discusses US-Russia talks, Kremlin says
  • Mexico, under pressure from Trump, transfers 26 more cartel members to US
  • US Treasury's Bessent says India has been 'recalcitrant' in trade talks
  • Ukraine, sidelined in Trump-Putin summit, fights Russian grab for more territory

In Case You Missed It

In Case You Missed It
  • Man remanded after wielding knife, trying to snatch baby in Penang supermarket
  • Malaysia's border control agency gives ICA cake to mark SG60
  • Tourist in Hong Kong killed after cabby, 80, crashes into pillar outside hotel
  • 2 Malaysian men nabbed at Woodlands Checkpoint for allegedly smuggling drugs worth over $150k into Singapore
  • Parents reject $30k settlement from kindergarten in JB after son suffocates to death in school van
  • Pritam gets candid with kids’ questions on his worst subjects and favourite song in radio interview
  • Bro-code before go-mode: Meet the duo leading NDP 2025
  • LTA, Singapore bus operators reviewing Malaysia’s request to start services from JB at 4am
  • Part-time PHV driver who stopped suicide attempt among 38 recipients of MHA’s public spiritedness award
This website is best viewed using the latest versions of web browsers.