Challenger-class submarine

The Challenger class is one of the submarine classes of the Singapore Navy. They are extensively modernized versions of ex-Sjöormen-class submarines. Challenger and Centurion were retired in 2015.[1]

RSS Chieftain
Class overview
Builders: Kockums
Operators:  Republic of Singapore Navy
Succeeded by: Archer class
Completed: 4
Active: 2
Retired: 2
General characteristics
Displacement:
  • Surfaced: 1,125 t (1,107 long tons; 1,240 short tons)
  • Submerged: 1,400 t (1,400 long tons; 1,500 short tons)
Length: 50 m (164 ft 1 in)
Beam: 6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
Draught: 5.1 m (16 ft 9 in)
Propulsion:
Speed:
  • Surfaced: 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
  • Submerged: 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement: 23
Sensors and
processing systems:		 FAS
Armament:
  • 4 × 533 mm (21 in) torpedo tubes
  • 2 × 400 mm (16 in) torpedo tubes

History

In 1995, the RSN acquired a Challenger-class vessel (formerly known as a Sjöormen-class submarine from the Swedish Navy) and another three in 1997, making them Singapore's first underwater platforms.[2] It is believed that the Challenger class were purchased to develop the required submarine operations expertise before selecting a modern class of submarines to replace them, since all the boats are over 50 years old.[3]

Ship Name Launched Commissioned Status
RSS Challenger (ex-HSwMS Sjöbjörnen) 26 September 1997[4] 2000s retired 11 March 2015
RSS Conqueror (ex-HSwMS Sjölejonet) 28 May 1999[4] 22 July 2001[4] in active service, as of 2020
RSS Centurion (ex-HSwMS Sjöormen) 28 May 1999[4] 26 June 2004[5] retired 11 March 2015
RSS Chieftain (ex-HSwMS Sjöhunden) 22 May 2001[4] 24 August 2002[6] in active service, as of 2020

Modernisation

The Challenger-class submarines have undergone the Riken modernisation programme tailored to the specific operational conditions of the Singapore Navy. As the submarines were designed by the Swedish for operations in the Baltic Sea, various modifications were required to suit them to tropical waters. A comprehensive tropicalisation programme was carried out for all four submarines, which involved installing air conditioning, marine growth protection systems and corrosion-resistant piping.[7]

RSS Challenger undergoing sea trials

See also

References
  1. "Archived copy". Archived from the original on 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2015-03-12.CS1 maint: archived copy as title (link)
  2. "Dr Tan Launches First Submarine in Sweden". Ministry of Defence Singapore. Archived from the original on 2007-10-28. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  3. Kaplan, George. "The Republic of Singapore Navy". Navy League of Australia. Archived from the original on 2010-01-15. Retrieved 2012-12-06.
  4. "The RSN Launches Her Fourth Submarine, the RSS Chieftain". Ministry of Defence Singapore. Archived from the original on 2007-10-29. Retrieved 2011-12-04.
  5. "Commissioning of RSS Centurion". Ministry of Defence Singapore. Archived from the original on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2011-12-04.
  6. "Dr Tony Tan Commissions RSN's Second Submarine". Ministry of Defence Singapore. Archived from the original on 2017-02-03. Retrieved 2011-12-04.
  7. "Submarine Tropicalisation Programme". MINDEF. Archived from the original on 2012-08-05. Retrieved 2012-12-06.

Bibliography
  • Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995


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