Challenger-class submarine

The Challenger class is one of the submarine classes of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They are extensively modernised versions of the former Sjöormen-class submarines. Challenger and Centurion were retired in 2015,[1] while Conqueror and Chieftain are still in active service as of 2022.

RSS Chieftain
Class overview
BuildersKockums
Operators Republic of Singapore Navy
Succeeded byArcher class
Completed4
Active2
Retired2
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)
Length50 m (164 ft 1 in)
Beam6.1 m (20 ft 0 in)
Draught5.1 m (16 ft 9 in)
Propulsion
Speed
  • Surfaced: 15 kn (28 km/h; 17 mph)
  • Submerged: 20 kn (37 km/h; 23 mph)
Complement23
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 refurbished Sjöormen-class submarine from the Swedish Navy, followed by another three in 1997.[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, as all the boats were over 50 years old.[3]

Ship Name Launched Commissioned Status
RSS Challenger (ex-HSwMS Sjöbjörnen) 26 September 1997[4] 2000s retired on 11 March 2015
RSS Conqueror (ex-HSwMS Sjölejonet) 28 May 1999[4] 22 July 2001[4] in active service, as of 2022
RSS Centurion (ex-HSwMS Sjöormen) 28 May 1999[4] 26 June 2004[5] retired on 11 March 2015
RSS Chieftain (ex-HSwMS Sjöhunden) 22 May 2001[4] 24 August 2002[6] in active service, as of 2022

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. "Republic of Singapore Navy Launches New Submarine Training Centre". Archived from the original on 2016-04-26. Retrieved 2015-03-12.
  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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