Friday, July 7, 2023

Flashback: Delivery of Republic of Singapore Navy submarines


Word that the Singapore navy’s latest submarine, Impeccable, is due to arrive this weekend triggered memories of this article I wrote in January 2004 on a similar delivery. 

The Straits Times story, published on 26 Jan 2004, reported that three Sjoormen-class submarines were en route from Sweden to Singapore. Noteworthy is the presence of an additional boat - the Republic of Singapore Navy had reportedly bought just four secondhand boats from the Royal Swedish Navy. Two were already in Singapore.

I recall that when I asked the Singapore Ministry of Defence about the fifth submarine, it described it as “a reserve vessel”. 

That Jan 2004 pix predated Instagram, Facebook and all of today’s conveniences that the ship spotting community enjoys. So I was quite happy to see it nearly 20 years ago. 

Quite looking forward to updates on Rolldock Storm as she approaches Singapore with Impeccable. I bet it won’t take long before ship spotters in Singapore get pictures of this special delivery. [You know what to do]

P.S. If you like subs, do take a look at Pukul Habis. It’s a fictional story (in English!) on war in Malaysia and Singapore. Here’s a preview on KD Tunku Abdul Rahman, the Malaysian navy sub that is featured in the story. Click here


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