Senior Minister Teo Chee Hean officiates the launch of the new Invincible-class submarine, Inimitable, enhancing the Republic of Singapore Navy’s capabilities.

On April 22, 2024, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security, Teo Chee Hean, led the launch ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy’s (RSN) fourth Invincible-class submarine, Inimitable. The event took place at the thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (tkMS) shipyard in Kiel, Germany. Ms Teo Swee Lian, SM Teo’s sister and the submarine’s Lady Sponsor, played a pivotal role in the ceremony, which was attended by dignitaries including Germany’s Federal Minister for Defence, Boris Pistorius, and other senior officials from both Singapore and Germany.

During the ceremony, SM Teo underscored the critical role of submarines in safeguarding Singapore’s maritime interests, especially given its strategic position along major shipping routes. He noted that the submarine capability is essential for the RSN to protect the sea lines of communication that are vital not just to Singapore but to international trade as well.

The Inimitable is the final vessel in the RSN’s Invincible-class series, designed specifically for operation in the shallow and congested waters typical of Singapore’s maritime environment. These submarines are noted for their longer endurance and increased payload capabilities, reflecting a significant leap in technological advancement and strategic foresight.

Following its launch, the Inimitable will undergo rigorous sea trials before being officially commissioned and joining the RSN’s operational fleet in Singapore. This marks a significant step in the RSN’s ongoing modernization efforts and the SAF’s commitment to enhancing its maritime defence capabilities.

The ceremony also provided an opportunity for reaffirmation of strong defence ties between Singapore and Germany, with discussions on continued collaboration and appreciation for Germany’s support of the SAF’s training initiatives since 2009. The robust defence relationship is further supported by the enhanced Defence Cooperation Agreement signed in 2018, facilitating extensive military and technological collaboration between the two nations.

Source – MINDEF