Singapore To Buy Two German Submarines

Singapore is acquiring two new submarines from German defence contractor ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems with delivery to take place in 2020, Defense ministry said in a statement.

It said the deal included a logistics package and a crew training arrangement in Germany, but the cost is not declared yet.

The two new submarines, along with Archer-class submarines purchased from Sweden in 2005 will replace its Challenger-class submarines that were built in the 1960s and acquired by the city-state in the 1990s.

“The replacement submarines will have significantly improved capabilities and be equipped with Air Independent Propulsion Systems,” the ministry said in the statement.

The German firm said the propulsion system significantly increases a submarine’s underwater range, reducing the risk of discovery.

Singapore announced in September it was acquiring an advanced European air defence system to replace its ageing US-made Hawk surface-to-air batteries.