Speech by Minister for Education and Second Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at the Launch of the RSS Swordsman in Karlskrona, Sweden

Minister for Defence Sten Tolgfors,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,
Good afternoon.

My wife and I are pleased to be here today to officiate at the launch of RSS Swordsman. This is the second of the Archer-class submarines that the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) has acquired from the Royal Swedish Navy.

Singapore and Sweden are geographically and ethnically distinct nations. We are almost ten thousand kilometres apart, have different people, cultures and historical origins that form our citizenry. Despite these differences, there are strong shared interests that bind our two countries. Both countries appreciate maritime trade as a strategic area of interest, as we sit astride vital sea lines of communication - the Malacca and Singapore Straits for Singapore and the Danish Straits for Sweden, which links all the Baltic States to the Atlantic. Both countries ascribed great importance to upholding free and open navigation along critical sea routes.

Not surprisingly then, Singapore and Sweden have each contributed recently to international efforts in anti-piracy operations within the Gulf of Aden. The Royal Swedish Navy was in command of the European Union Naval Force's (EU NAVFOR) Operation ATALANTA for four months this year and has deployed Corvettes and an Ocean Patrol Vessel to combat piracy there. Likewise, the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) commanded Combined Task Force 151 for three months earlier this year, and has deployed task groups comprising Landing Ships Tank and helicopters to help deter and disrupt piracy attacks in the Gulf of Aden. We will continue to contribute to this international effort with the deployment of a Maritime Patrol Aircraft to CTF 151 in the later part of the year to aid in the surveillance operations, as well as assume command of CTF 151 for another three months next year.

Singapore and Sweden have also established a strong defence partnership which goes back to the Bedok-class Mine Counter-Measure Vessel project in the early 1990s and has since progressed further with the establishment of the Challenger-class and Archer-class submarine programmes. These programmes reflect the strong bonds of friendship and mutual understanding between Sweden and Singapore.

Our close and long-standing bilateral defence relations also extend beyond our armed forces to the realm of defence science and technology. Singapore's DSO National Laboratories and Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) have good working relationships with the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV)1, the Swedish Defence Research Agency (FOI)2 and KOCKUMS3. We have learnt much from our collaboration.

Central to both our defence policies is continuous investment in technological solutions and platforms that enhance our countries' defence capabilities and deterrence. Therefore, notwithstanding the stability in the Baltic Sea, the Swedish Navy continues to maintain a cutting edge submarine technology. The RSN is similarly committed to building up its submarine capability to keep them effective and ready to safeguard Singapore's sovereignty and national interests. Today, the launch of the RSS Swordsman marks another milestone in the RSN's drive to further develop its submarine capability.

The RSN submarines are part of an integrated warfighting system which includes our stealth frigates, naval helicopters, missile corvettes and mine counter-measure vessels. Like its sister vessel the RSS Archer, which was launched last year, the RSS Swordsman has been upgraded and refurbished to ensure its suitability for operations in and around Singapore. The two Archer-class submarines equipped with advanced sonar, torpedo and periscope systems together with Air Independent Propulsion modules will accord the RSN extended reach and deterrence as they are stealthier, have longer endurance, and possess expanded operational capabilities. Together with the Challenger-class submarines, RSS Archer and RSS Swordsman will enable the RSN to better fulfil its mission of protecting Singapore's sea lines of communication and territorial integrity.

As the Singapore Armed Forces continues to build up a strong defence force to meet Singapore's security needs, Sweden has been an invaluable and steadfast partner in helping us grow our submarine capability over the years. More than that, with globalisation and a common outlook on many strategic issues, the challenges our armed forces face will continue to be similar, and there is much scope for us to consult and collaborate in the future. 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 throughout the Archer-class submarine programme. I look forward to deepening and strengthening the relationship between our two countries.

To the Commanding Officer, LTC Loh Mun Heng, and crew of RSS Swordsman, my congratulations and best wishes for your continued training. We look forward to the success of the Archer-class submarine programme and its contribution to the defence of Singapore.

Thank you.
1 FMV, Swedish Defence Materiel Administration, is an independent civil authority. Its primary task is to provide the Swedish Armed Forces with materiel, systems and methods that are effective today as well as in the future. FMV also represents the Swedish government in issues relating to international materiel cooperation and industry.2 FOI, Swedish Defence Research Agency, is an assignment based authority under the Ministry of Defence. Its core activities are research, method and technology development, as well as studies for the use of defence and security.3 KOCKUMS is a Swedish shipyard that designs, builds and maintains naval surface vessels and submarines which incorporate advanced stealth technology.

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Singapore Navy Launches Second Archer-Class Submarine