KIEL, Germany - Singapore's fourth Type 218SG Invincible class diesel electric submarine, the future RSS Inimitable, was launched from Thyssenkrupp Marine Systems (TKMS) in Germany on April 22. The sub represents the last of four boats that were ordered through two contracts in 2013 and 2017.

The Navy operates two second hand Challeger class (ex-Sjoorman class) subs acquired from Sweden in the 1990s (the subs date from the 1960s) and two Archer-class (ex-Vastergotland-class) subs that entered service between 2011 and 2013.

Compared to the legacy boats, the new Invincible class features increased levels of automation, which is intended to help with manpower difficulties faced by the Navy. The subs are longer than 70 meters displace around 2,200 tons.

The lead boat was launched in February 2019, followed by the second and third boats in December 2022. Singapore took delivery of Impeccable, the second boat in the class, in July 2023.

Source: Asian Military Review
Associated URL: https://www.asianmilitaryreview.com/2024/04/singapore-launches-fourth-invincible-class-submarine/

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- Colonna's Shipyard Inc, Norfolk, Virginia (N0002424D4226); East Coast Repair & Fabrication,* Portsmouth, Virginia (N0002424D4227); General Dynamics NASSCO-Mayport, Jacksonville, Florida (N0002424D4228); BAE Systems Jacksonville Ship Repair LLC, Jacksonville, Florida (N0002424D4229); Fincantieri Marine Repair, Jacksonville, Florida (N0002424D4230); Standard Inspection Services/Standard Welding & Fabrication, Jacksonville, Florida (N0002424D4231); Epsilon Systems, Portsmouth, Virginia (N0002424D4232); and Tecnico Corp., Atlantic Beach, Florida (N0002424D4233), are awarded a combined $701,167,248 firm-fixed-price, indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity, multiple award contract, from the United States Navy, for repair, maintenance, and modernization requirements of non-nuclear Navy Surface ships homeported in, or visiting the Mayport, Florida, region.

The scope of work includes continuous maintenance emergent maintenance and short-term (10 months or less in duration) Chief of Naval Operations availabilities. Each awardee will be awarded $10,000 (minimum contract guarantee per awardee) at contract award.

Work will be performed in the Mayport, Florida, homeport area. Work is expected to be completed by April 2029.

Fiscal 2024 operations and maintenance (Navy) funding in the amount of $80,000 is obligated at contract award and will expire at the end of the current fiscal year. All other funding will be made available at the delivery order level as contracting actions occur. This contract was competitively procured via the SAM.gov website, with 10 offers received.

The U.S. Navy's Naval Sea Systems Command, Washington, D.C., is the contracting activity.

Source: U.S. DoD
Associated URL: https://www.defense.gov/News/Contracts/Contract/Article/3754777/
Author: U.S. DoD 

LORIENT, France -- On April 15, 2024, the keel laying of the first block of Greece's third Hellenic Ship (HS) Formion took place in the Naval Group shipyard in Lorient. This step is a symbolic milestone in the defense and intervention frigate (FDI) program for the Hellenic Navy, as it marks the beginning of the third ship's assembly process.

The FDI HN program is moving forward. HS Kimon was launched in October 2023, her PSIM was installed in November, and harbor trials have started early March, with the Electrical Distribution system power-up of the ship. The CMS has been powered-up on board by the end of March with the latest version featuring many Hellenic Navy specific capabilities. The first 2 Aster 30 Vertical Launching Systems (A50 - Sylve), have been installed early April. The second half of 2024 will focus on very important milestones with HS Kimon First Sea Going and launching of HS Nearchos.

HS Nearchos’ PSIM has been transferred to its shore-testing area for a 5-month test period. during which setting-to-work of many systems of the PSIM will be performed. The PSIM will then be installed onboard HS Nearchos a few days after launching the frigate.

HS Formion’s PSIM is being pre-outfitting. Cabling and outfitting of equipment will start soon. The last hull block is under construction in Salamis Shipyards and will be delivered in July.

The three frigates will be delivered in 2025 and 2026.

Source: Naval Group
Associated URL: https://www.naval-group.com/en/naval-group-lays-keel-hs-formion-third-defence-and-intervention-frigate-fdi-hellenic-navy
Author: Naval Group