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.

History

In 1995, the RSN acquired a Challenger class submarine from the Swedish Navy and another three in 1997, making them Singapore's first underwater platforms. 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.
Ship NameLaunchedCommissionedStatus
RSS Challenger 26 September 19972000sretired 11 March 2015
RSS Conqueror 28 May 199922 July 2001in active service, as of 2020
RSS Centurion 28 May 199926 June 2004retired 11 March 2015
RSS Chieftain 22 May 200124 August 2002in 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.