On Tuesday, Singapore’s navy officially commissioned two advanced submarines, the Invincible and the Impeccable, enhancing its fleet to a total of six submarines. Designed to safeguard critical sea lines of communication, these new vessels will extend the reach of Singapore’s naval capabilities beyond its territorial waters, allowing for greater regional monitoring. The Invincible and Impeccable were ordered from ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems in Germany as part of a €1 billion deal in 2013 and will complement the older Archer- and Challenger-class submarines currently in service.

Experts assert that the new submarines signify a significant technological advancement for Singapore’s naval fleet. These vessels will enable the affluent Southeast Asian nation to operate further from its shores while requiring fewer personnel on board. Additionally, the Invincible and Impeccable are among the quietest submarines in the region, enhancing their operational effectiveness and stealth capabilities.

“They are an excellent force multiplier,” said Colonel Fong Chi Onn, commander of Singapore’s submarine flotilla. “And for a country as small as ours, we need all the force multipliers we can get.”

The commissioning event at Changi Naval Base showcased the two new Invincible-class submarines, which were moored at adjacent piers adorned with colourful naval pennants. Their distinctive X-shaped rudders were visible above the water, highlighting the advanced design and capabilities of these state-of-the-art vessels.

“Singapore’s survival and prosperity depend on free and unimpeded movement over the seas,” Prime Minister Lawrence Wong said as he commissioned the vessels in a ceremony watched by their crew and military dignitaries in white dress uniforms.

The Invincible-class submarines are designed for efficiency, requiring a complement of only 28 personnel for each 70-meter (230 ft), 2,200-ton vessel. Crew members noted that the automation of time-consuming tasks simplifies operations. Notably, these submarines are Singapore’s first to feature crew facilities for women, with both vessels currently accommodating female officers.

“They’re at least comparable to some of the latest, state-of-the-art conventional submarines now in service throughout Southeast Asia and the broader Indo-Pacific,” said Collin Koh, a naval affairs specialist at the S. Rajaratnam School of International Studies in Singapore.

However, experts caution that possessing more advanced submarines does not necessarily equate to matching the capabilities of other regional navies. For instance, while the Invincible-class submarines are armed exclusively with heavyweight torpedoes, Vietnam’s Russian-designed Kilo submarines have the added capability to carry land-attack cruise missiles. Additionally, Singapore has launched two more Invincible-class vessels, the Illustrious and Inimitable, although they have yet to be officially commissioned.