Singapore decommissions last two Challenger-class submarines
RSS Chieftain being decommissioned. (Photo: Singapore Ministry of Defence)
RSS Conqueror and RSS Chieftain were retired on 25 November, marking the end of the first era of Singaporean submarines.
The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has retired its last two Challenger-class submarines, heralding their official replacement by the new Invincible class.
The two last Challengers, RSS Conqueror and RSS Chieftain, were decommissioned in a ceremony held at Changi Naval Base on 25 November.
The Singapore Ministry of Defence paid tribute to the work of the two Challenger-class vessels in developing Singapore’s submarine operating capability.
Related Articles
Singapore receives first Invincible-class submarine
Singapore launches fourth and final Type 218SG submarine
Singapore commissions first pair of Type 218SG submarines
At the decommissioning ceremony, Fleet Commander RAdm Kwon Hon Chung said: “RSS Conqueror’s and RSS Chieftain’s achievements are a testament to the RSN’s pioneer submariners, who laid strong foundations for the growth of 7th Flotilla and [turned] the RSN into a world-class submarine operating force.”
He also paid tribute to the Royal Swedish Navy for its help in starting up Singapore’s submarine programme in the late 1990s and early 2000s.
The Invincible class is made up of four submarines, ordered in two batches in 2013 and 2017. All four vessels have now been launched and the first two, RSS Invincible and RSS Impeccable, were commissioned in September 2024.
The Invincible-class 218SG submarines represent the first time the RSN has procured entirely new boats, as the Challenger-class vessels were Royal Swedish Navy Sjoorman-class submarines before they entered service with the RSN in the early 2000s. The Invincible-class vessels are regarded as the first in a new generation of Singaporean submarines.
Underlining this new generation of capabilities, the decommissioning of the last two Challenger-class submarines was the occasion for the launching of a new submarine training school in Singapore.
Named after RSS Challenger, the school will use modern simulators to put trainee submariners in realistic scenarios for both individual and team training sessions.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Invincible Class (Type 218SG) (1-4) [Singapore]
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Naval Warfare
-
![US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters]()
US Coast Guard orders 10 additional Fast Response Cutters
The USCG exercised a $507 million contract option for the acquisition of 10 extra FRCs. This new order will raise the total number of Sentinel-class vessels procured by the service from 67 to 77.
-
![DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology]()
DSEI 2025: Red Cat expands into USV production with focus on combat-proven technology
At DSEI 2025, Red Cat outlines its expansion from UAVs into uncrewed surface vessels (USVs), positioning itself as a multi-domain defence provider spanning land, sea, and air.
-
![Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028]()
Royal Canadian Navy will start operating class 2 UAVs in 2028
Acquired under Canada’s Department of National Defence ISTAR UAS project, the drones will be deployed from the Halifax-class frigates.
-
![US Navy prepares next step of the F-35 Block 4 upgrade while GAO predicts acquisition delays]()
US Navy prepares next step of the F-35 Block 4 upgrade while GAO predicts acquisition delays
The US Navy published a pre-solicitation notice of intent for the third phase of the F-35 Reprogramming Verification & Validation System. Meanwhile, with a five-year delay in its schedule, GAO foresees more postponements in the completion of the Block 4 effort.
