Challenger-class submarine explained

The Challenger class was one of the submarine classes of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They were extensively modernised versions of the former submarines. Challenger and Centurion were retired in 2015,^[1] while Conqueror and Chieftain were retired in 2024.^[2]

History

In 1995, the RSN acquired a refurbished from the Swedish Navy, followed by another three in 1997.^[3] 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.^[4]

Ship Name	Launched	Commissioned	Status
RSS Challenger (ex-HSwMS Sjöbjörnen)	26 September 1997[5]	2000s	retired on 11 March 2015
RSS Conqueror (ex-HSwMS Sjölejonet)	28 May 1999	22 July 2001	retired on 25 November 2024
RSS Centurion (ex-HSwMS Sjöormen)	28 May 1999	26 June 2004[6]	retired on 11 March 2015
RSS Chieftain (ex-HSwMS Sjöhunden)	22 May 2001	24 August 2002[7]	retired on 25 November 2024

Modernisation

The Challenger-class submarines had 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.^[8]

See also

• List of submarine classes in service

Bibliography

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

External links

• Official Kockums website on the Challenger class submarines

Notes and References

1. Web site: Republic of Singapore Navy Launches New Submarine Training Centre . 2015-03-12 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160426095108/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/press_room/official_releases/nr/2015/mar/11mar15_nr.html#.VQGrI_yZcrU . 2016-04-26 . dead .
2. Web site: The Republic of Singapore Navy Decommissions Final Two Challenger-class Submarines RSS Conqueror and RSS Chieftain .
3. Web site: Dr Tan Launches First Submarine in Sweden . Ministry of Defence Singapore . 2012-12-06 . 2007-10-28 . https://web.archive.org/web/20071028054817/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/1997/sep/27sep97_nr3.html . live .
4. Web site: Kaplan . George . The Republic of Singapore Navy . . 2012-12-06 . https://web.archive.org/web/20100115044501/http://navyleag.customer.netspace.net.au/fc_07ros.htm . 2010-01-15 . dead .
5. Web site: The RSN Launches Her Fourth Submarine, the RSS Chieftain . Ministry of Defence Singapore . 2011-12-04 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20071029140513/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2001/may/23may01_nr.html . 2007-10-29 .
6. Web site: Commissioning of RSS Centurion . Ministry of Defence Singapore . 2011-12-04 . 2012-08-05 . https://archive.today/20120805134108/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2004/jun/26jun04_nr.html . live .
7. Web site: Dr Tony Tan Commissions RSN's Second Submarine . Ministry of Defence Singapore . 2011-12-04 . 2017-02-03 . https://web.archive.org/web/20170203162426/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/content/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2002/aug/24aug02_nr.print.html?Status=1 . live .
8. Web site: Submarine Tropicalisation Programme . MINDEF . 2012-12-06 . 2012-08-05 . https://archive.today/20120805152305/http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2001/may/23may01_nr/23may01_fs2.html . live .