Singapore will be acquiring two new submarines that are expected to be delivered from 2024, in a move to replace its older and ageing underwater war vessels, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced on Tuesday, May 16.
Singapore also needs to make the purchases to keep pace with the growth of navies in Asia and to be an effective force, even as it continues to work with other navies in tackling common security challenges, said Dr Ng, at the opening ceremony of the 11th International Maritime Defence Exhibition and Conference (Imdex) Asia.
Together with two other submarines of the same Type-218SG model that were ordered previously and expected to be delivered in 2021 and 2022, the two new buys will ensure the Singapore Navy continues to modernize and keep pace with the growth of navies in Asia, he added.
Dr Ng also stressed the importance of multilateral cooperation to combat transnational threats such as terrorism, piracy and illegal smuggling of weapons of mass destruction.
“Individual counties need to work together, even as each appropriately strengthens their navies and other maritime security agencies,” he said.
