KIEL (Germany): Singapore’s acquisition of four new Type 218SG submarines, which offer more firepower and combat options, is a timely move as maritime security challenges evolve and countries beef up their submarine fleets, said Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen.

Speaking on Monday at the launch of the first Type 218SG submarine named Invincible, Dr Ng said Singapore faces threats in the maritime domain, including terrorism, the shipping of illegal arms, weapons of mass destruction and people, as well as piracy.

He also noted that in Asia, defence spending has increased significantly, reaching US$447bil (RM1.8 trillion) in 2017, an increase of about 61% from 2008, with many countries modernising their armed forces.

Citing countries such as China, Indonesia, Thailand, India and South Korea that are planning to expand their submarine fleets, Dr Ng added: “In this context, the acquisition of the new Type 218SG submarines is timely.”

Speaking to reporters later, Dr Ng also pointed out that Singapore sits astride two of the busiest sea lines of communication in the world – the South China Sea and the Strait of Malacca – through which about one-third of the world’s maritime trade is transported.

“So I think that most people will receive this development by the RSN with assurance that it is able to do its part in keeping our sea lines of communication open not only for Singapore, but the world.”

The new Type 218SG submarine – custom-made to Singapore’s needs – will have 50% longer endurance, more firepower, more capable sensors and advanced automation than the current fleet of submarines in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

It will undergo sea trials in Germany before it is delivered to Singapore in 2021.

The RSN, the Defence Science and Technology Agency, German defence contractor thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) worked together on the design and building of the submarine.

Dr Ng called the launch a “significant milestone” for the RSN and Singapore as he also described the new submarines as a testament to the continual growth and progress of the RSN.

“It’s a proud moment, but I remind all of us within the Singapore Armed Forces and the RSN that the journey here was not all smooth-sailing. It required the vision and persistence of the RSN’s pioneers because when we first launched our submarine programme, we could have failed...”

“We got here not in a single jump, (but) because we persisted,” he said. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network