Singapore Commissions New Submarine

A second Archer class submarine that Singapore purchased from the Swedish navy is fully operational.

Singapore's Ministry of Defense said the RSS Swordsman was commissioned this week at Changi Naval Base and joins the RSS Archer, which was also purchased from Sweden.

"RSS Swordsman, her sister boat RSS Archer, and our Challenger class submarines form part of an integrated warfighting system, together with our stealth frigates, naval helicopters, missile corvettes and mine-countermeasure vessels -- a force that safeguards Singapore's maritime interests and protects our territorial integrity," Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Tharman Shanmugaratnam said.

The RSS Swordsman has been refurbished for operations in local conditions and features upgraded combat and sensor suites. An Air Independent Propulsion system for greater stealth, extended reach and expanded operational capabilities was also added.

Archer class diesel-electric submarines displace 1,500 tons and are 198.6 feet long. They have a surface speed of 8 knots and a submerged speed of 15 knots.

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