German yard to build two additional submarines for Singapore

Germany's Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency have entered into an agreement for the construction of two additional Type 218SG or Invincible-class diesel-electric submarines.

The submarines will be the fifth and sixth in the class. The first two boats are already in service with the Republic of Singapore Navy while the third and fourth boats are scheduled to enter service by 2028.

According to TKMS, the order extension can be handled within existing capacities in Germany, despite high capacity utilisation until the 2040s.

Upon completion, each Invincible-class boat will have a length of 70 metres and a displacement of approximately 2,000 tonnes. Armament will include torpedoes, mines, and anti-ship missiles.

The Invincible-class submarines are variants of the Type 214 boats that Germany had originally developed for the export market.

TKMS said the design of the Type 218SG submarines is based on a low signature. An air-independent propulsion system will meanwhile give the boats long underwater endurance.