RSS Chieftain |
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| Class overview | |
|---|---|
| Builders: | Kockums |
| Operators: | Republic of Singapore Navy |
| Succeeded by: | Archer class |
| Completed: | 4 |
| Active: | 4 |
| 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: | 1 shaft 2× Pielstick diesel 1× ASEA electric motor |
| 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 |
The Challenger class is one of the submarine classes of the Singapore Navy. They are extensively modernized versions of ex-Sjöormen class submarines.
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In 1995, the RSN acquired a Challenger class (formerly known as Sjöormen class) submarine from the Swedish Navy and another three in 1997, making them Singapore's first underwater platforms.[1] 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 40 years old.[2]
| Ship Name | Launched | Commissioned | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| RSS Challenger (ex-HMS Sjöbjörnen) | 26 September 1997[3] | in active service, as of 2011 | |
| RSS Conquerer (ex-HMS Sjölejonet) | 28 May 1999[3] | 22 July 2001[3] | in active service, as of 2011 |
| RSS Centurion (ex-HMS Sjöormen) | 28 May 1999[3] | 26 June 2004[4] | in active service, as of 2011 |
| RSS Chieftain (ex-HMS Sjöhunden) | 22 May 2001[3] | 24 August 2002[5] | in active service, as of 2011 |
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.[6]
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