Submarine for Singapore launches as "Inimitable"
On 22 April 2024, the fourth submarine in the Type 218SG construction programme was christened at the thyssenkrupp Marine Systems shipyard in Kiel. Among the 250 invited guests were Boris Pistorius, Federal Minister of Defence, and Teo Chee Hean, Senior Minister and Coordinating Minister for National Security of the Republic of Singapore, as well as other high-ranking representatives from Singapore and Germany. The boat's godmother was Mrs Teo Swee Lian, Teo Chee Hean's sister.
Oliver Burkhard, CEO of thyssenkrupp Marine Systems, emphasised: "The submarines built in this project are the most modern conventional submarines the world has ever seen. They belong to a new, ultra-modern generation and are also the largest submarines ever built in Germany. It is the result of hard work, dedication and the co-operation of many talented people that have led us to this success."
The design of the type 218SG submarines has an air-independent propulsion system, which gives the boats a long diving time. With a length of 70m and a displacement of around 2,000 tonnes, they are currently the largest submarines ever built by Marine Systems. Following the "Invincible" in 2019 and the double launch of the "Impeccable" and the "Illustrious" in December 2022, the fourth boat has now been launched. The "Inimitable" will be delivered from 2025 after intensive testing.
Following the naming ceremony, thyssenkrupp Marine Systems and ST Engineering signed a Memorandum of Understanding to jointly develop the capabilities of the Singapore 218SG submarines during their operational life. This includes applications in the areas of 3D printing, maintenance and data analysis.
This is another successful step in the co-operation with Singapore. Singapore recently signed a contract with the Fassmer shipyard for the construction of OPVs.
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
RSS Inimitable. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
RSS Inimitable. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
RSS Inimitable, bow section. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Minister Teo Chee Hean, (Singapore), Minister Boris Pistorius, interpreter (Singapore Navy), behind them Oliver Burkhard (CEO tkMS) and godmother Teo Swee Lian. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Minister Teo Chee Hean, (Singapore), Minister Boris Pistorius, behind them the godmother Teo Swee Lian. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
RSS Inimitable, ship christening and congratulations. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
RSS Inimitable, ship christening and congratulations. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Minister Teo Chee Hean, (Singapore), Minister Boris Pistorius, Oliver Burkhard (CEO tkMS). Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
RSS Inimitable, port side. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
RSS Inimitable, Kiel. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
RSS Inimitable, Kiel. Photo: Michael Nitz, Naval Press Service
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It is better to remain realistic and be better informed instead of being arrogant.
Ha ha ha ha.... what can this submarine do that the Spanish S80 can't?
It is better to remain realistic and be better informed instead of being arrogant.
Ha ha ha ha.... what can this submarine do that the Spanish S80 can't?
Querido Cid - from the high esteem you show for the Spanish S80(plus) programme, I take it you are a Spanish citizen and certainly proud of the achievements of the Navantia submarine construction. HOWEVER - and that is crucial in submarine design - the Spanish construction plans stem from the early years of 2004 and had to be revised not only once. Air independent propulsion (AIP) will only be built into the third boat S83. This of course will have to be tested, evaluated and accepted into service, all that will require considerable time. These boats may be bigger, but not necessarily better. AIP already works well in U218 - and from design, this boat is not just a touch younger! In the end, both boats may perform just as well - only time will tell, when they compete side by side.
Translation of
Querido Cid - from the high regard you have for the Spanish S80(plus) programme, I assume that you are a Spanish citizen and definitely proud of the achievements of the Navantia submarine build. HOWEVER - and this is crucial in submarine design - the Spanish construction plans date back to the early 2000s and had to be revised more than once. An air-independent propulsion (AIP) will only be installed in the third boat, the S83. Of course, this has to be tested, assessed and approved, which will take a lot of time. These boats are bigger, but not necessarily better. AIP already works well on the U218 - and in terms of design, this boat is more than just a touch younger! In the end, both boats can perform equally well - only time will tell when they are operating side by side underwater.
Sincerely - your editorial team marineforum.online
"The world's most modern submarine comes from Kiel"
How do you know that?
U - Construction are the most secret projects worldwide.
Maybe these things aren't even second choice? In any case, the major powers will not let Germany take these pieces of cake away from them.
So baking somewhat smaller rolls would be appropriate.
Example: the "most modern" tanks in the world are currently burning in Ukraine.
Thank you, Wolfgang, for the cheeky comment.
How do we know that? We - all four of us on the online editorial team - are experts and have been in the navy for over 40 years.
Of course, a lot of things are SECRET - but we don't even talk about that - what we write is public.
Second choice? Definitely not! Just a bit expensive - more than some people could afford.
Take away pieces of cake? They don't need to - they can buy them!
Baking small rolls - why? Being afraid of your own courage - there's enough of that in this country.
State-of-the-art tanks in Ukraine? Who told you that? Why don't you count the age rings in the wood that is "burnt" there?
No offence - I'm off to get some bread rolls - very small ones - the tasty ones!
Your editors marineforum.online
But our self-appointed peacemakers in the government won't like that at all.
What exactly?