The Challenger class was one of the submarine classes of the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN). They were extensively modernised versions of the former submarines. Challenger and Centurion were retired in 2015, while Conqueror and Chieftain were retired in 2024.
History In 1995, the RSN acquired a refurbished from the Swedish Navy, followed by another three in 1997. 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, as all the boats were over 50 years old.
Ship NameLaunchedCommissionedStatusRSS Challenger (ex-HSwMS Sjöbjörnen)26 September 19972000sretired on 11 March 2015RSS Conqueror (ex-HSwMS Sjölejonet)28 May 199922 July 2001retired on 25 November 2024RSS Centurion (ex-HSwMS Sjöormen)28 May 199926 June 2004retired on 11 March 2015RSS Chieftain (ex-HSwMS Sjöhunden)22 May 200124 August 2002retired on 25 November 2024
Modernisation The Challenger-class submarines had 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.
See also List of submarine classes in service
References
Bibliography
Conway's All the World's Fighting Ships 1947-1995
External links Official Kockums website on the Challenger class submarines