Thyssenkrupp Launches Fourth Type 218SG Submarine for Singapore

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems shipyard launched the fourth submarine in the Type 218SG construction program, named the ‘Inimitable’, for the Singapore Navy on April 22 in Kiel.

The design of the Type 218SG submarines is focused on minimizing signature detection. The air-independent propulsion system provides extended underwater endurance. With a length of about 70 meters and a displacement of around 2,000 tonnes, these are currently the largest submarines ever built by Marine Systems.

Following the launch of "Invincible" in 2019 and the simultaneous launch of "Impeccable" and "Illustrious" in December 2022, the fourth boat has now been launched. The "Inimitable" will undergo intensive testing and is scheduled for handover in 2025.

Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and ST Engineering also signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to enhance the capabilities of Singapore’s Type 218SG submarines throughout their operational lives. This builds on the earlier Teaming Agreement signed in December 2022 and will involve collaboration on selected technologies and applications including additive manufacturing (3D printing), maintenance training, data analytics, and obsolescence management.

Singapore’s Type 218SG submarines

Singapore bought two non-nuclear submarines from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in December 2013 to replace RSN’s Challenger-class submarines (Sjoormen). Four years later, it added two more subs to its order. While the value of the contract has not been made public, German news outlets speculated it to cost around €3 billion.Project/Type 218SG submarine is larger than the German export variant having a full displacement of 2,000 tons when operating at the surface. Its full displacement when submerged is 2,200 tons.The submarine has ten torpedo tubes measuring 533mm and two measuring 650mm for special weaponry and equipment. It uses the same air-independent propulsion (AIP) system as the Project 214 submarines, which means that two HDW/Siemens electrochemical generators power it, each with a power output of 120 kW. The sophisticated Combat Management System (CMS) used by the Project 218SG submarines was co-created by the German company Atlas Elektronik and Singapore Technologies Electronics. This CMS was installed on the submarines as standard equipment. There are only 28 personnel on board as part of the crew.