Singapore Orders 2 Swedish Submarines
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Kockums AB, which is part of ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems, has signed a contract with Singapore’s Ministry of Defence to supply two SSK Vastergotland Class diesel-electric submarines to the Republic of Singapore Navy. These ships will join four Kockums AB Challenger Class submarines, and the Kockums-manufactured Landsort Class mine hunters (MCMVs) and related mine-clearance systems already in service with the Republic of Singapore Navy. Terms were not disclosed by either party.
The Vastergotland Class is currently in service with the Royal Swedish Navy as well, but under a different name and with some important technology differences.
Back on Sept. 29, 2005, a MINDEF spokesperson said:
“The Swedish Navy is planning to stand down two of its submarines of the Vastergotland class…. Mindef is now considering whether this might provide the Republic of Singapore Navy an opportunity to enhance its submarine capabilities by replacing some of its Challenger class submarines with the Vastergotland class submarines.”
The other two boats in the Vastergotland class, HMS Sodermanland and HMS Ostergotland, have been cut in two and had a new 8m (25-foot) section added with Kockums AB’s Stirling AIP (Air-Independent Propulsion) system, creating the new Sodermanland Class. This makes the Royal Swedish Navy the only service in the world with an all-AIP conventional submarine fleet.
The submarines HMS Vastergotland and HMS Halsingland will now be transferred to Singapore upon completion of their modernization, and their conversion for operation in tropical waters. The contract also includes a logistics package and training for the crews. Training will be conducted by the Swedish Navy in Karlskrona, along the lines adopted in conjunction with the earlier Challenger Class. See corporate release.
