Speech by Mr Teo Chee Hean, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence, at the Launch of RSS Archer in Sweden

State Secretaries Håkan Jevrell and Gunnar Wieslander, distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen. Good afternoon. My wife and I are pleased to be here today to officiate at the launch of RSS Archer, the lead-boat of her class of submarines for the Republic of Singapore Navy. Sweden and Singapore share a close defence relationship that stretches back to the 1970s, shortly after Singapore's independence. This relationship is founded on many shared interests and similarities between the defence equipment needs of our two countries. Both Sweden and Singapore do not have large populations and need to leverage on their highly educated societies to exploit technology as a critical force multiplier. Over the years, our defence relationship has matured to encompass wide-ranging interactions and collaborative projects. The ties between our two navies are particularly strong. In the early 1990s, the Republic of Singapore Navy acquired mine-hunters from Sweden and sought the Royal Swedish Navy's assistance to build up our mine-countermeasure force. Since then, the two navies have continued their interactions and exchanges in this field.

When the Republic of Singapore Navy began building its submarine capability almost 14 years ago, we had to learn how to operate submarines from scratch. We looked to the Royal Swedish Navy, with its more than 100 years of experience in submarine operations for assistance. We procured the Sjöormen-Class submarines from the Royal Swedish Navy. We refurbished and re-named them the Challenger-Class. The excellent training and the sharing of operating experience by the Royal Swedish Navy have been a major factor in the quick operationalisation of Singapore's submarine force and its successful integration into our Fleet. The Challenger-Class submarines and their crews have proven themselves time and again in numerous training exercises with our own ships as well as those from other navies. With skills honed through these exercises, our submarine force stands ready with the rest of the navy and the Singapore Armed Forces to safeguard Singapore's sovereignty and national interests.

Today's launch of the RSS Archer is a further development of the Singapore Navy's submarine capability. The Archer-Class submarines, part of the Royal Swedish Navy's Vaästergötland-Class boats were bought by Singapore from the Royal Swedish Navy in 2005. They have since been comprehensively upgraded, refurbished and tropicalised to ensure their suitability for operations in and around Singapore for many years to come. As part of the programme, RSS Archer has been fitted with advanced sonar, periscope and torpedo systems as well as an Air Independent Propulsion module. These submarines are stealthier, have longer endurance, and possess expanded operational capabilities. Singapore is a maritime nation in a maritime region.

The Republic of Singapore Navy's mission is to secure the seaward defence of Singapore and to protect our Sea Lines of Communication. The Archer-class submarines integrated with our six stealth frigates and soon to be delivered naval helicopters, will allow the Navy to undertake more complex and sophisticated operations to help maintain regional peace and stability, and secure the vital sea routes through our region. Operating RSS Archer requires a relatively small but highly skilled crew. The crew of RSS Archer has undergone two years of comprehensive training on the Royal Swedish Navy's Södermanland-Class submarines - the Royal Swedish Navy's modernised and upgraded Vaästergötland-Class submarines.

Among other things, they had to demonstrate the ability to operate the submarine independently on realistic mission-oriented exercises. I am pleased that the crew has completed this phase of their training successfully, and are now ready to put RSS Archer through her paces during the upcoming sea trials. RSS Archer's launch also reflects the deep defence cooperation and long standing friendship between our countries. For this, I would like to express my sincere thanks to the Swedish Government, the Swedish Ministry of Defence, the Royal Swedish Navy, KOCKUMS and the Swedish people for your hospitality and support. With a strong foundation of past collaborations, I am confident that the Archer-Class submarine programme will be another fruitful partnership between Sweden and Singapore.

Let me congratulate all who have been involved in the project and have played a part to realise the successful launch of RSS Archer. This programme bears clear witness to the Singapore Government’s continued commitment to provide the Singapore Armed Forces with the resources to build a strong defence force that is needed to secure Singapore’s continued security, survival and success. To the Commanding Officer LTC Jack Nyeo and crew of RSS Archer, I wish you a fulfilling and satisfying journey ahead in operationalising this boat. We look forward to the return of RSS Archer next year. Thank you.