Archer-class submarine
{{Short description|Class of Singaporean submarines}}
{{For|other ship classes of the same name|Archer class (disambiguation){{!}}Archer class}}
| {{Infobox ship begin}}
{{Infobox ship image | Ship image = Singapore Navy RSS Swordsman Archer class Submarine IMDEX 2019 Changi Singapore.jpg | Ship caption = RSS Swordsman alongside Changi Naval Base }} {{Infobox ship class overview | Builders = Kockums | Operators = {{Navy|SGP}} | Class before = {{sclass|Challenger|submarine|4}} | Class after = {{sclass|Invincible|submarine|4}} | Subclasses = | Built range = | In commission range = | Total ships building = | Total ships planned = | Total ships completed = 2 | Total ships cancelled = | Total ships active = 2 | Total ships laid up = | Total ships lost = | Total ships retired = | Total ships preserved = }} {{Infobox ship characteristics | Ship displacement = *Surfaced: {{convert|1400|t|abbr=on}}
| Ship length = {{convert|60.5|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship beam = {{convert|6.1|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship draft = {{convert|5.6|m|ftin|abbr=on}} | Ship propulsion = *2 × Hedemora diesel-electric engines
| Ship speed = *Surfaced: {{convert|8|kn|abbr=on|lk=in}}
| Ship complement = 28 | Ship sensors = FAS | Ship armament = *6 × {{convert|533|mm|in|abbr=on|0}} torpedo tubes for TP-617 heavy-weight torpedoes and Blackshark torpedoes
| Ship notes = }} |
The Archer-class submarines are a class of two diesel-electric submarines in active service with the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). Originally launched as the Swedish Navy {{sclass|Västergötland|submarine|0}} submarines HSwMS Hälsingland and HSwMS Västergötland in 1986 and 1987, the two submarines were sold to Singapore in November 2005 and relaunched in June 2009 and October 2010 respectively after extensive modernisation by Kockums, which included a refit to {{sclass|Södermanland|submarine|4}} standards, the insertion of a new hull section with an air independent propulsion system, and additional climatisation for use in tropical waters.
History
Singapore's Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) signed an agreement with Kockums for the supply of two Archer-class (formerly Västergötland-class) submarines to the RSN on 4 November 2005.{{cite web |title=Kockums receives Singapore order to two submarines |work=Kockums |url=http://www.kockums.se/news/oldnews/051104order.html |access-date=2005-11-19 |archive-date=2011-06-06 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606154729/http://www.kockums.se/news/oldnews/051104order.html |url-status=live }} More than 20 years old and previously in reserve with the Swedish Navy, the submarines were transferred to the RSN on completion of the modernisation and conversion for operation in tropical waters. RSS Archer was launched on 16 June 2009.{{cite web |title=Singapore Navy Launches its First Archer-Class Submarine |work=Singapore Ministry of Defence |url=http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2009/jun/16jun09_nr.html |access-date=2009-06-16 |archive-date=2017-10-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171014234313/https://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2009/jun/16jun09_nr.html |url-status=live }} RSS Archer underwent sea trials following its launch and is now operational. The second submarine, RSS Swordsman, was launched on 20 October 2010. The Archer-class submarines entered service in 2013 and replaced RSS Challenger and RSS Centurion of the Challenger class that were retired in 2015.
| class="wikitable" |
| Ship name
!Launched !Commissioned !Status |
|---|
| RSS Archer (ex-HSwMS Hälsingland)
|16 June 2009 |in active service, as of 2022 |
| RSS Swordsman (ex-HSwMS Västergötland)
|in active service, as of 2022 |
Design and construction
The Archer-class submarines were designed and built by Kockums AB as single-hull, double compartment submarines optimised to reduce noise and magnetic signature. The two pressure-tight compartments also enhance safety and survivability of the crew. The submarines were designed to operate in the shallow waters of the Baltic Sea and are therefore also optimised for operation in Singapore waters, which have similar depth profiles. The Archer-class submarines are also equipped with Stirling AIP engines.{{Cite news |last=Choong |first=William |title=New subs not sign of regional arms race |newspaper=The Straits Times |pages=A21 |date=17 June 2009}} This enables the submarines to have longer submerged endurance and lower noise signature, enhancing the stealth capability of the submarines. The advanced sonar system allows the submarines to detect contacts at a further distance, while the torpedo system has a better target acquisition capability, which allows the submarines to engage contacts at a longer range.{{Cite news |last=Chow |first=Jermyn |title=Silent Hunter |newspaper=The Straits Times |pages=B5 |date=18 June 2009}}
See also
Notes
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External links
- [http://www.mindef.gov.sg/imindef/news_and_events/nr/2009/jun/16jun09_nr.html MINDEF - Singapore Navy Launches Its First Archer-Class Submarine]
- [http://www.kockums.se/en/products-services/submarines/archer-class/ Official Kockums website on the Archer class submarines]
- [https://web.archive.org/web/20110425220601/http://www.kockums.se/en/products-services/submarines/stirling-aip-system/ Kockum's AIP Sterling system]
- {{Youtube|GLtJb0pLTS8|Swedish language video: Launching of RSS Archer}}
- {{Youtube|zb3R0ouZQYA|CyberpioneerTV news report on the RSS Archer}}
{{Kockums Naval Solutions}}
{{Västergötland class submarine}}
{{Ship classes of the Republic of Singapore Navy}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Archer class submarine}}