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Subs baru Temasek sampai 2020

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Post time 5-12-2013 08:21 AM | Show all posts |Read mode
02 December 2013| last updated at 06:08PM                  
Singapore to acquire two submarines from German firm                   
                                                                                  


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                                          SINGAPORE: Singapore, which has Southeast Asia’s most  modern military, said  Monday it was acquiring two new submarines from German  defence contractor  ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems.        In a statement, the defence ministry said it signed a contract to acquire   two “Type 218SG” submarines, which are projected to be delivered in  2020.

        It said the deal included a logistics package and a crew training   arrangement in Germany, but did not reveal the total cost.

        The two new submarines, along with Archer-class submarines purchased from   Sweden in 2005 will replace its Challenger-class submarines that were  built in  the 1960s and acquired by the city-state in the  1990s.

“The replacement submarines will have significantly improved capabilities   and be equipped with Air Independent Propulsion Systems,” the ministry  said in  the statement.

        The German firm said the propulsion system significantly increases a   submarine’s  underwater range, reducing the risk of discovery.

        Singapore announced in September it was acquiring an advanced European air   defence system to replace its ageing US-made Hawk surface-to-air  batteries.

        It has set aside Sg$12.34 billion ($9.84 billion) for defence in 2013, up   from Sg$11.83 billion in 2012.

        Singapore, surrounded by far larger neighbours, has pursued a robust   defence strategy since its acrimonious split from Malaysia in  1965.

        All able-bodied men must serve for two years in the military  upon  turning  18, providing additional manpower on top of the estimated 20,000  regulars. AFP



Read more:  Singapore to acquire two submarines from German firm - Latest - New Straits Times http://www.nst.com.my/latest/singapore-to-acquire-two-submarines-from-german-firm-1.419154#ixzz2mYSJsUcA
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Post time 5-12-2013 09:08 AM | Show all posts
Sub baru malaysia bila mau order, kata mau at least 6 biji dlm 1 sqdn.
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Post time 5-12-2013 09:13 AM | Show all posts
modal pencabaran yg terbaru la ni...


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Post time 5-12-2013 09:42 AM | Show all posts
Alasan biasa akan dihidangkan pada kita, takdak modal...
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Post time 27-12-2013 11:36 AM | Show all posts
This German made submarine family tree is already outdated but I wonder where would Type 216 & 218SG be, it'll be interesting to know.....

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Post time 27-12-2013 11:39 AM | Show all posts

December 3, 2013

Singapore buying two HDW 218SG submarines - Sweden's loss

http://gentleseas.blogspot.sg/20 ... -two-hdw-218sg.html


The Israeli AIP Dolphin 2 (P-800) evolved from the HDW 214 just over 2,000 tonnes. The HDW 218SG may be considerably larger at 3,000 tonnes see http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.a ... bly-3000-tonne.html
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Where will the Type 218SG fit on this HDW submarine tree?
-------------------------

After two decades of buying renovated submarines from Kockums Singapore will  buy two new-build submarines designated HDW 218SG. Significantly the 218SGs are from Thyssenkrupp Marine System (TKMS) German submarine division HDW rather than from Kockumss which TKMS also owns. The 218SGs will be built at HDW's shipyard in the northern German port of Kiel.

Singapore's Defence Ministry (Mindef) signed the purchase deal with TKMS on November 29, 2013 to buy two the 218SGs.  The contract was likely to be worth more than 1 billion euros ($1.36 billion).

In hindsight this website's November 13, 2013 article http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.a ... ms-swedish-sub.html was an indicator that HDW winning the Singapore order was suspected by the Swedish and German media. Singapore's 218SG decision is clearly a blow to Kockums and to Sweden's Navy (which would rely on foreign sales of Kockums subs to lower unit costs of Kockums subs). Unless the Swedish Government or a Swedish firm buys back Kockums Sweden might be forced to buy its future submarines from HDW or at least TKMS owned Kockums.

For Singapore there is some continuity buying customised submarines - from customised Kockums Archer and Challenger Class to customised HDW 218SG class.

I suspect HDW 218SG will be an enlarged evolution of the HDW 212/214, see - The HDW 218SG may be considerably larger at 3,000 tonnes see http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.a ... bly-3000-tonne.html . Given the expected 218SG delivery date of 2020 it is unlikely that the 218SG would be radically new and 4,000 tonnes of HDW 216 Class which would probably take longer than the seven years to develop (2013-2020).

The two 218SGs, together with two existing Kockums Archer Class submarines, will replace the four ageing Challenger Class submarines, built in the 1960s and acquired by Singapore in the 1990s, which will be progressively retired from service. This follows Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Hen's comments in March 2013 about Mindef's plan to replace the Challenger submarines.

The 218SG contract includes a logistics package and the training of Singaporean crew in Germany. The 218SGs will have significantly improved capabilities including Air Independent Propulsion (AIP) which significantly increases a  submarine’s  underwater range and hence reduces the risk of detection.

TKMS indicated Singapore Technologies Electronics, a unit of defence conglomerate Singapore Technologies Engineering Ltd , would co-develop the submarines' tailor-made combat system with Atlas Elektronik GmbH, a joint venture of ThyssenKrupp and European aerospace group EADS. Atlas already builds combat systems for other HDW subs including the Israeli Dolphin Class.
  
Singapore's projected defence budget for 2013 is Sg$12.34 billion (US$9.84 billion) up from 2012's Sg$11.83 billion in 2012. Under Singaporean law all able-bodied men must serve for two years in the military upon turning 18, providing additional manpower on top of the estimated 20,000 regulars. Singapore, surrounded by far larger neighbours has pursued a robust  defence strategy since its complicated split from Malaysia in 1965. In part due to this large neighbour situation Singapore has cemented close relations with the US, Australian and Israeli military for decades.

--------------------------------

Many of the above details are from several media reports of December 2, 2013 and a TKMS Press Release of the same date:

http://www.straitstimes.com/brea ... vered-2020-20131202

http://www.nst.com.my/latest/sin ... rman-firm-1.419154:

http://in.reuters.com/article/20 ... INL5N0JH37T20131202

TKMS Press Release December 2, 2013, http://www.thyssenkrupp.com/en/p ... 989544737_761385703

See this websites earlier article on Singapore's Archer and Challenger Class submarines at http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.a ... ne-development.html
-
Pete
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Post time 27-12-2013 11:41 AM | Show all posts
December 6, 2013

The HDW 218SG - probably a 3,000 tonne submarine

http://gentleseas.blogspot.sg/20 ... bly-3000-tonne.html

This article follows on from my earlier article http://gentleseas.blogspot.com.a ... -two-hdw-218sg.html announcing Singapore's December 2, 2013, decision to buy two HDW 218SG subs. My estimate (educated guess) is that the HDW 218SG is probably a 3000 tonne submarine - for the following reasons:

HDW is increasingly reliant on its Asia-Pacific customer base. Asia-Pacific customers need longer range submarines and other features. In terms of size this signifies a evolution from just below 2,000 tonne HDW 212/214 subs built mainly for European (Baltic, Arctic Ocean, North Atlantic) conditions to an already tested 3,000 tonne design (see below) for Asia-Pacific (Indian and Pacific Oceans) conditions.

The already tested 3,000 tonne design is in the shape of TKMS Kockum's 3,000 tonne Collins Class. Note that this is in terms of the Collins overall displacement rather than its internal components - which countries would not want to replicate! TKMS bought Kockums not only to remove Kockums as a competitor to HDW but to utilise Kockums' experience, workforce, technology and design information.

HDW is developing the 3,000 tonne, 218 (Asia-Pacific) design not only for Singaporean but for the South Korean market. The 218SG build schedule (for launch around 2019 - 2021) coincides with South Korea's building schedule (from 2018) for its planned 3,000 tonne submarine the KSS-III (D-3000). South Korean subs to date have heavily relied on HDW 209  (KSS-I) and HDW 214 (KSS-II) designs. This pattern suggests that the 3,000 KSS-III will also be heavily based on HDW design work despite South Korea's claims of a wholly "indigenous" KSS-III design.

A 3,000 tonne submarine could incorporate heavier battery and increased diesel oil, greater AIP capacity for increased Asia-Pacific range requirements.  Heavier batteries can also allow longer range submerged operation with higher discretion (non-snorkel use) rates against (mainly) Chinese sensor platforms. A vertical launch system (VLS) may be included in a 3,000 tonne design - with a broader concept being vertical multi-purpose lock (VMPL). VLS would make launch of cruise or small ballistic missiles more efficient, quicker and less detectable.

A 3,000 tonne submarine would also have the range to permit Singaporean and South Korean use of refuelling-replenishment bases belonging to their US and Australian allies. Such bases include Diego Garcia, Guam, Pearl Harbour and Fremantle (Australia).

A design of 4,000+ tonnes would probably not be required for Singapore's operating conditions. A 4,000 tonne would also be unnecessary and difficult to develop and launch in the published 7 year time scale for a 2020 delivery of the 218SG. The 4,000 tonne HDW 216 (only on paper) design is more optimised for long transit range Australian use - see http://www.udt-global.com/files/holger_isbrecht.pdf .

Conclusions

So my (estimated) conclusions are that HDW 218 represents HDW's latest export submarine design for launch around 2018 and first delivery around 2020. The HDW 218 is designed for long-range Asia-Pacific conditions, incorporating AIP and probably a vertical multi-purpose lock (VMPL) all requiring a 3,000 tonne displacement. SG signifies a subset of HDW 218 customised for Singaporean conditions - including air-conditioning for tropical weather, hull-anechoic coating optimised for warmer sea use and a Singapore-specialised combat system.
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Post time 27-12-2013 11:51 AM | Show all posts
Monday, December 2, 2013

The coming Red tide: China's ambitious push into the South China Sea and its impact on Singapore

http://kementah.blogspot.sg/2013 ... inas-ambitious.html

Although Singapore is far enough from China's Air Defence Identification Zone (ADIZ) that our foreign ministry and defence ministry staffers can enjoy their normal weekend, the question that begs asking is whether Chinese aggression assertiveness nationalistic endeavours will stop at just imposing an air curtain off the Chinese seaboard.

If this is a sign of things to come, one can expect even more from the People's Republic of China (PRC) when (and not "if") it builds the military muscle to project and sustain its naval presence in the South China Sea (SCS).

At the current state of play, China's ADIZ can be monitored using its mainland air defence assets and naval units maintaining a radar picket offshore.

Naval aviation is confined to shipborne helicopters or mainland-based warplanes whose operational radii are tethered to their air-to-air refuelling capability or internal fuel and drop tanks.

Their sole aircraft carrier, Liaoning, is more a prop, a showpiece that makes an impressive backdrop for photo shoots involving carrier-borne fighters or PLAN heavy units. That single training carrier, devoid of an established concept of operations grounded on sound naval doctrine, operating with no organic AEW&C aircraft, sailing without the security of an outer perimeter of light forces, submarines and an inner ring of heavy naval units, no UNREP support ships worth talking about, is not a serious contender should she be pitted against present day naval forces in the region.

PRC naval aviation in 2030
But telescope China's military capabilities 15 years forward, sustained at the current growth trajectory, and one is likely to count fully operational two aircraft carriers that can project China's military ambitions closer to our neighbourhood.

By 2030, the ruffled feathers over the ADIZ would have long accepted the zone as status quo.

By 2030, regional analysts would have been desensitised to years of watching China's air and naval forces operate in the South China Sea.

That may pave the way for China to assert a stronger presence in the neighbourhood, using its SCS islets as anchor points and the aircraft carriers as patches of sovereign Chinese territory from which it can generate and sustain naval air cover.

Having China declare and secure territorial waters around South China Sea islets would change the game for defence planners so used to watching what the neighbours are up to. Emboldened by the ADIZ experience acquired in 2013, it would be interesting to theorise if they would pull a similar gig in the SCS once they have the military muscle to back words with deed.

Strategic realities
All the present-day talk about military options against China and analysis of how Red China is militarily weak compared to regional forces ignores two strategic realities.

First, military action against the PRC must reckon how industry would react when China is, and will continue to be, essentially the world's factory. Hitting China is unlike bombing the Ruhr during WW2. Industry magnates would have done their sums and quiet lobbying may hamstring military options, particularly when Western economic interests are at stake should things turn nasty.

Second, order of battle comparisons and us-versus-them scenarios generated by defence analysts and armchair generals from *insert your country of choice* seem to ignore the reality such tussles might see Chinese tactical nukes thrown into the equation. What then? Yes, it is mad. But many wars have stemmed from miscalculations of minor consequence snowballing into wider strategic effect (think about how the complex interplay of strategic alliances led to WW1 after Archduke Ferdinand was shot).

Dearth of analysis
Cold War calculations benefitted richly from decades of analysis which bred two/three generations of experten who devoted their lives to analysing how war across the Iron Curtain could flare. All sorts of scenarios from limited exchange on short warning, long war scenarios, proxy wars, launch on warning/launch on impact, command relationships with strategic nuclear forces, second strike capabilities and so on were studied and discussed extensively. Effects on global weather patterns were theorised (nuclear winter), movies were made and best seller novels on Cold War battles became vacation staples.

All this brain power amassed over the years made a positive and decisive contribution to deterrence. Because both sides understood the chilling costs of war. And no one was left to any doubt about the cost of miscalculation.

Compared to the Cold War, the standoff between China and its neighbours suffers from a dearth of literature which helps us get a better grasp of the situation.*

Concerns expressed in the past week about the ADIZ becoming a flashpoint probably stem from the realisation of the dreadful consequences that have resulted when one mixes nation willpower with misfired firepower.

Singapore's Foreign Minister K. Shanmugan said on 29 November'13 at the Global Outlook Forum in the lion city:"An incident can easily happen and we, the rest of the world, are to some extent hostage to what some ship captains might do. And how he might get us all involved in a conflagration that no one wants."

The concerns are not theoretical musings or scare mongering, but anchored on the substantial body count from the recent past in and around our immediate neighbourhood.

The April 2001 Hainan Incident, which resulted when a Chinese fighter jet collided with a United States (US) Navy EP-3 electronic surveillance plane off Hainan - where China's strategic submarines are based - is one example.

The September 1983 downing of Korean Air Lines Boeing 747 Flight KAL 007 off Russia's Sakhalin island, after a Russian air defence fighter guided by confused GCI controllers in the dark went weapons free is another.

Farther afield, we have the July 1988 case of the US Navy Aegis cruiser, USS Vincennes, shooting down Iran Air Airbus A300 Flight 655 after mistaking the airliner for an incoming flight of Iranian F-14 Tomcat warplanes. The Vincennes, in its time one of the latest US Navy warships, had info fusion capabilities that were then state-of-the-art. But this did not prevent the slaughter of innocents.

Whether it's a military-to-military encounter, warplane versus airliner or warship versus airliner, the tragedies that unfolded are real and may be sadly replayed should push come to shove in regional air and sea lanes. What's sobering to note is the individuals involved in shooting down the Korean and Iranian airliners were never brought to justice - which is a point ADIZ missileers and PRC foreign ministry staffers may have pondered.

A more robust presence by China in the SCS in not a cause for alarm. But it is unquestionable that  the region's strategic situation will be impacted, depending on the size, strength and longevity of Chinese military power sitting astride air and sea lanes that link Southeast Asia with key markets in North Asia.

What remains to be seen is if insurance underwriters can be similarly assured if and when China's naval ensign flies high in the SCS. Wasn't it not so long ago when Indonesia, Malaysia and Singapore worked hard - collectively and energetically - to convince Lloyd's of London to remove the "War Risk" label for the Malacca Strait due to piracy/sea robber activity? We did so as this category would push up hull premiums and lead to higher shipping costs which, somewhere sometime downstream, would push up price tags for things we buy.

It is still some years away. Defence planners looking ahead must be aware that the current state-of-the-art - stealth warships or submarines - may be due for upgrading or replacement by 2030. What matters is the awareness that one should look beyond the immediate neighbourhood to factor in other players who can be expected to trail their coats off one's doorstep, in years to come.

Be that as it may, what is intriguing is the Chinese mindset that seeks to sweep aside and explain away regional concerns about its unilaterally declared ADIZ - air traffic has not been disrupted (true), it is within China's sovereign rights to do so (true) and that other nations have done so too (true).

It is not so much the rhetoric but more the intellectual intransigence in being able or willing to see the other side's point of view and bulldozing forth with one's perspective that points to the kind of future we can expect to see when the Red tide flows south.**

We can look further north than we're already used to, or we can sit tight and be totally blasé about regional geo-politics, only to wake up in 2030 to realise that the Singapore coastline pre-WW2 was better defended against warships than the city in the garden we're building together.




* This paragraph from The Straits Times report on the Global Outlook Forum is a case in point. An ST  journalist theorised why the US flew B-52 bombers in the ADIZ:"He pointed out that the US chose B-52s - rather than, say, the F-35 stealth fighters - for the mission. B-52s are the biggest planes in the US fleet, he said, with the largest radar  profiles, so the message from the US was that 'we want you to know', he said." (ST 30 Nov'13, page A8 'Top of the News')

With respect, the analysis is farcical. Had the US sent F-35 fighters with stealth features, the message would have been heard loud and clear not just in Beijing but around the world as the F-35s are not even in operational service. The journalist would have done nicely leaving it generically at "stealth fighters" without elaborating on type ("If unsure, leave it out" - Journalism 101). Or he could have mentioned F-22s, which have flown show-of-force missions in this region - and made paying participants at the forum feel they got their money's worth.


** Speaking of not being able to see the other side's point of view, the risks to flight safety when military flights take-off at their own whim and fancy without due regard to Air Traffic Control instructions was made apparent during the TNI's recent Angkasa Yudha war games. Indonesia's largest deployment of warplanes to Hang Nadim Airport in Batam came under the guidance from Changi Airport's ATC, as agreed by Indonesia as the airport's radar coverage is rudimentary. This blog is aware that some TNI flights took to the skies, destination Natunas, while ignoring instructions from Changi whose job was to ensure safe flight separation between commercial traffic and the TNI warplanes.
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Post time 27-12-2013 11:53 AM | Show all posts
Republic of Singapore Navy Type 218SG submarine buy caps 18-year journey in underwater warfare

http://kementah.blogspot.sg/2013 ... avy-type-218sg.html

Republic of Singapore Navy Type 218SG submarine buy caps 18-year journey in underwater warfare
This week's announcement that Singapore has ordered two new Type 218SG submarines from Germany sends a clear and definitive answer to the question floated more than 18 years ago when defence planners pondered adding subs to the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN).

When German shipyard ThyssenKrupp delivers the boats from 2020, the Type 218SGs - the world's most modern conventional subs - and two Archer-class subs presently in service will give the RSN the largest fleet of submarines in Southeast Asia (provided regional fleets stay the same).

It is an acquisition to cheer; a prudent hedge against choppy waters in regional sealanes.

With the subs operating in concert with the RSN's six Formidable-class stealth warships - the world's most heavily-armed frigates which can collectively bring into play up to 144 anti-ship missiles - and with the Republic of Singapore Air Force flying top cover, the seaward defences of Singapore will never have been sharper.

The Singapore navy may not have made it this far, if Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and RSN defence planners were not given the time, know-how and resources needed to make an informed case for or against buying subs.

And so, in September 1995, Singapore took the plunge when it bought a single, low-cost second-hand sub from Sweden to see if the RSN should add subs to its fleet. Yes, we bought a submarine to assess if we should add subs to the RSN.

Try before buy
If that leap of logic baffles you, bear in mind that MINDEF/SAF force planners in the 1990s were pitted against a formidable anti-submarine "weapon" - a sceptical and influential politician whose say-so carries some heft. That politician was Lee Kuan Yew, Singapore's founding father.

"Every armed force believes it ought to upgrade. For years I told the Singapore Armed Forces, which wanted submarines 'You are crazy. These are shallow waters. You will easily be detected and bombarded with depth charges.'

"But well, OK. Here is the Swedish submarine. The economy is doing well and it is a cheap sub. Its purchase will still be within the 5 per cent of GDP  assigned to defence. So, why not use it for some training," said Mr Lee in his first comments on the RSN's foray into submarine warfare.(Straits Times 11 Oct 1995)

To his credit, the time and space Mr Lee allowed the RSN has helped shape Fleet RSN into the compact yet credible fighting force it is today.

Sub operations from S'pore
Subs are not new to Singapore. Prior to the Second World War, British naval planners recognised their value even in the shallow seas around Singapore. The Royal Navy's 4th Flotilla of submarines operated out of Sembawang Naval Base. That we heard nothing of their contribution to the Battle of Singapore was due to their redeployment to the eastern Mediterranean during the halcyon two years and three months before the outbreak of war in the Pacific.

As war raged in Europe, the aircraft carrier which operated from Singapore, HMS Eagle, was also reassigned to Mediterranean waters to bolster British naval forces fighting the combined might of German and Italian forces. There, the subs and aircraft carrier from Singapore fought with distinction.

Had they remained in the Far East, it would be fascinating to contemplate the "what-if" scenario involving the Royal Navy's Force Z centered on the battleship, HMS Prince of Wales, the battle cruiser, HMS Repulse, with the weak escort of just four destroyers.

Alas, both Prince of Wales and Repulse were sunk on 10 December 1941 by Japanese bombers off Kuantan. But their loss underlined the importance of fighting a naval war in regional waters with a "balanced" navy - which in today's context means having naval forces able to conduct operations against surface, underwater, aerial targets as well as packing an electronic warfare capability to be used against sensors like radars and guided weapons.

MINDEF/SAF defence planners have apparently heeded these lessons well.

In the past 18 years, the RSN has looked at more than merely adding more subs to its order of battle. The first hand-me-down from Sweden, renamed RSS Challenger, was joined by three other Challenger-class boats before a more capable albeit second-hand class of sub, which we renamed the Archer-class, was bought from Sweden.

Uniquely Singapore
Singapore has recognised that submarine support operations are vital too. Today, the RSN is the only Southeast Asian navy with a submarine rescue capability complemented by strong underwater medicine expertise. This is a low-profile capability, arguably less eye-catching and not as sexy as warships with all their guns and missiles, but is one that is nonetheless vital for submariners to have peace of mind while at sea.

Singapore has also used its defence science know-how to give our submarines a secure homeport to operate from. The reinforced concrete submarine pen at Changi Naval Base is probably unique in the region as it allows our subs to berth within a concrete enclosure, protected from the elements, prying eyes and enemy munitions.

Above all, the thousands of defence engineers are a precious asset that has allowed the RSN to order successive generations of subs tailored-made for local waters.

It is no accident that Internet search engines scouring cyberspace have failed to suggest the vital statistics or an artist's impression of our newly-ordered subs. This is because the Type 218SGs are said to be a class of sub specially designed for the RSN. The name change is not merely to allay  suggestions that ThyssenKrupp's current Type 214 subs were rebranded as "214" sounds like "sure to die" in Cantonese while "218" has a more auspicious "sure to prosper" ring to it. :-)

Homegrown expertise
Going forward, the "customised submarines" the RSN will receive from Germany make it clear that homegrown defence science know-how will be used to build a combat information system that forms the heart of the Type 218SG's combat potential.

In this regard, the Defence Science & Technology Agency (DSTA), which is spearheading the effort  to deliver the subs with German partners, has strong expertise to draw upon. The combat system that ties together various sensors and weapon systems aboard the Formidable-class frigates is the product of Singaporean defence engineers, who delivered the goods despite initial cynicism from foreign defence observers who could not believe the empty frigate hulls could be kitted out by Singaporean hands.

But we did it and several Defence Technology Prizes - the Oscars of Singapore's defence science community - were scooped by various project teams associated with the stealth frigate project.

To be sure, the task at hand for integrating various bits and pieces for a bespoke man-of-war designed to sink and fight from beneath the waves will be complex and will test the diligence and creativity of our defence scientists and naval planners.

However, thanks to the foresight of defence planners 18 years ago, the Type 218SG project team can draw upon nearly two decades of experience in sub operations plus a growing alumni of MINDEF/SAF underwater warfare experts.

One has little doubt that the Type 218SG project team stands to earn its own Defence Technology Prizes in time to come.
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Post time 27-12-2013 12:17 PM | Show all posts
Singapore: German Subs’ Strategic Value
December 20, 2013 /  Category Strategic Outlook /  Posted By Felix Seidler /   8 Comments.

http://cimsec.org/singapore-german-subs-strategic-value/

Congratulations, Singapore! In 2020, the city-state will operate the Indo-Pacific’s most advanced, non-nuclear-powered submarines. For China, these submarines present a challenge, however for Germany the deal provides the potential for greater security policy access to maritime Asia.

Type 218

In early December, German shipbuilder Thyssen announced that Singapore’s navy had contracted two Type 218SG U-boats, a variety previously unknown. While the Type 216 concept has been in public discussion Type 218 had not. As it seems, Type 218SG is an improved version of Type 214, adjusted to Singapore’s specific needs, thus the “SG” suffix. Given its size and operational profile, Type 214/218SG subs are very well suited for operations in coastal waters, such as those around Singapore. Thyssen’s offered Type 216 concept is would have been too large.

Thanks to the air-independent propulsion (AIP) fuel cells the U-boat operates almost noiselessly like a nuclear-powered submarine, but without the heat signature caused by the reactor. In consequence, by 2020, Singapore will receive the most advanced non-nuclear-powered submarines in the Indo-Pacific.

Why Singapore Needs U-boats

Lately, international attention has largely been on aircraft carriers and, through China’s ADIZ, with air forces. However, Asia’s arms race takes pace underwater as much as it does on the surface. China is expanding its fleet of nuclear and conventionally powered attack submarines in quality and quantity and the U.S. will commission even more new Virginia-class nuclear subs.

Japan, South Korea, Vietnam, Indonesia, Australia, the Philippines, and Pakistan all maintain programs to start, modernize, or expand their submarine fleets. South Korea has already been a customer of Germany’s submarines. Especially small countries, who are missing the resources and capacities for large expeditionary fleets, will respond to China’s increasing capabilities by expanding of their submarine forces.

The U.S. and Britain will favor ally Singapore’s procurement of top-of-the-line German U-boats, but the purchase will certainly not please China’s navy. All Chinese warships underway to the Indian Ocean by the far-most economic route have to pass the shallow waters around Singapore, thereby coming in range of the barely detectable 218s.

The purchase of a German product also helps keep Singapore’s fleet interoperable with Western navies. For the West this is advantageous in the event that continued Chinese “assertiveness,” spurs the formation of new coalitions in Southeast Asia. Japan is already pursuing that track. Given China’s desire to establish an ADIZ in the South China Sea, at least one aircraft carrier would have to transit to the south of the South China Sea to enforce it. China’s fighter jets lack the range to launch from the mainland and aerial refueling capabilities are too immature. Thus, Singapore’s Type 218s would pose a serious challenge to any Chinese carrier task force.

How far China has advanced in sonar techniques and submarine detection is hard to say. If German Type 212s can make their way through the anti-sub-defense of a U.S. aircraft carrier, the even more advanced 218s should have no major difficulty embarrassing the Chinese navy.

Yet just two 218s will not be enough because Singapore’s navy also has an Endurance-class LPD and surface warships to protect. One rule applies to warships as well as submarines: one at sea, one in the yard, and one developing its readiness. Of course, the Singaporeans know that. Thus, given a successful program development, we will likely see an order of a second tranche.

Strategic Value for Germany

The announced deal is also a win for Germany. Besides the good deal for the German defense industry, the secured jobs, and the revenue, the deal’s strategic value must also be examined. By purchasing amphibious landing ships, new frigates and the F-35, Singapore, with its central geo-strategic location, is on the way to become a military powerhouse. It is therefore in the interests of a maritime trade-dependent nation like Germany, to have good relations with Singapore, as it inhabits one of the world’s most important ports.

Germany has not yet had any maritime security access east of the Malacca Strait in Southeast Asia. Even its role in the Indian Ocean has remained unusually limited. With the further pace-taking maritime arms-race in Southeast Asia, Germany now has a bright foot in the door. In addition, Singapore will become dependent after 2020 on German spare part deliveries.

It should be noted that a submarine deal with South Korea, to this day, has not produced any immediate strategic value or results in practical security policy. Through two customers instead of one that could change, especially as Germany pursues additional export deals in the region.

In addition to the potential for these lucrative arcontracts, Germany has an interest in a stable, peaceful maritime arc running from Singapore and Vladivostok. China’s re-armament, coupled with a more assertive military doctrine, and its aggressive enforcement ensures the opposite. Since one can doubt U.S. resolve thanks to the Obama Administration and the federal budget, the countries of the region must be able to balance China’s rise, at least partially, by themselves. Therefore, German-built subs can surely do their share.

Felix Seidler is a fellow at the Institute for Security Policy, University of Kiel, Germany, and runs the site Seidlers-Sicherheitspolitik.net (Seidler’s Security Policy).

Follow Felix on Twitter: @SeidersSiPo
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Post time 28-12-2013 06:13 PM | Show all posts
zainmahmud posted on 5-12-2013 09:08 AM
Sub baru malaysia bila mau order, kata mau at least 6 biji dlm 1 sqdn.

msia mau order sub baru, becanda je pak cik ne
mig saja tak jelas kapan nak diganti palagi tambah subs yang harganya sangat mahal
singapore beli ne sub karena gengsi tak mau kalah dengan negara SEA lainnya vietnam dan indo
vietnam pesan 6 ks kilo class dengan s-club
indo pesan 3 CBG + Kilo class (januari ne insyallah ada kepastian, apa beli baru atau mendapat second atau bisa juga keduanya )
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Post time 28-12-2013 08:16 PM | Show all posts


Apa guna banyak kapal selam tapi tewas di udara
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Post time 29-12-2013 07:22 AM | Show all posts
BotakChinPeng posted on 28-12-2013 08:16 PM
Apa guna banyak kapal selam tapi tewas di udara

very stupid nya pak cik ne, subs disamakan dengan pesawat, nyatalah dua benda yang beda dan fungsi yang berbeda
kilo class dengan kemampuan vls yang mampu tembakkan s-club, dengan senyapnya subs didalam air dan dengan tiba2nya melontarkan s-club ke darat sejauh 400Km apa itu tidak bahaya, seluruh objek vital pun hancur, kita tahu di SEA ne SAM defance masih kurang jadi siapa yang sanggup intercept tu s-club, tak usah munafik lah pak cik, Msia pun mahu kalo da uang
untuk di udara kami sudah merencanakan dengan matang dan terus ditambah, 24 F16 + 16 GE 50i + 16 Tocano + pengganti F5 (kandidat kuat SU-35 atau Grippen) + Medium SAM buat intercept pesawat musuh (kandidat HQ series atau S-300 ) dan kami akan terus menambahkan kekuatan, apalagi MEF 2 ne yang dumulai tahun 2014 ne mendapat uang tambahan 20B Dollars, jadi pak cik jangan terkejut
jadi pak cik terus je berkhayal msia tambah subs
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Post time 29-12-2013 08:49 AM | Show all posts
viewx posted on 29-12-2013 07:22 AM
very stupid nya pak cik ne, subs disamakan dengan pesawat, nyatalah dua benda yang beda dan fun ...

Bawa bertenang pakcik.
Saya cumain nyatakan perkara yang benar walau pahit untuk pakcik telan
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Post time 29-12-2013 10:38 AM | Show all posts
BotakChinPeng posted on 29-12-2013 08:49 AM
Bawa bertenang pakcik.
Saya cumain nyatakan perkara yang benar walau pahit untuk pakcik telan

Aku rasa kau betul dlm hal ni. Cecerite panjang lebar kemampuan efos kita utk menguasai airspace sea dan keupayaan navy kita utk mekancarkan s club dari mana2.
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Post time 29-12-2013 11:45 AM | Show all posts
BotakChinPeng posted on 29-12-2013 08:49 AM
Bawa bertenang pakcik.
Saya cumain nyatakan perkara yang benar walau pahit untuk pakcik telan

bicara apa pak cik ne
kalau bicara subs jangan bicara pasal lain
Last edited by viewx on 29-12-2013 11:54 AM

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Post time 29-12-2013 11:51 AM | Show all posts
zainmahmud posted on 29-12-2013 10:38 AM
Aku rasa kau betul dlm hal ni. Cecerite panjang lebar kemampuan efos kita utk menguasai airspace s ...

bicara lg ne?
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Post time 29-12-2013 11:54 AM | Show all posts
zainmahmud posted on 29-12-2013 10:38 AM
Aku rasa kau betul dlm hal ni. Cecerite panjang lebar kemampuan efos kita utk menguasai airspace s ...

ko lupa makan ubat ka semalam ?

kat mana aku sebut tentang  klub s ?
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Post time 29-12-2013 03:14 PM | Show all posts
viewx posted on 29-12-2013 11:45 AM
bicara apa pak cik ne
kalau bicara subs jangan bicara pasal lain

mau ngobrol ama pakcik sebenter aja dech.
klub s gak cukup laju untuk terlepas dari dimusnahkan oleh rudal R27, R73 atau R77.
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Post time 29-12-2013 04:55 PM | Show all posts
BotakChinPeng posted on 29-12-2013 03:14 PM
mau ngobrol ama pakcik sebenter aja dech.
klub s gak cukup laju untuk terlepas dari dimusnahkan o ...

pak cik sudah minum obat keh
apa hubungannya s-club dengan R77 etc.. beri malu je comment cam ne
s-club adalah missile untuk ground attack/naval yang diluncurkan dari subs, cam mana R77 and etc yang berupa missile AAM bisa hancurkan s-club
sepertinya cukup saja ne ngobrolnya tak usah dilanjutkan
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