Submarine on land boosts training for RSN servicemen

Upgraded centre has advanced simulators modelled after new submarines

- Mike Yeo

The Republic may have four new Invincible-class submarines, but it is a "fifth boat ashore" that plays a critical role in preparing the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) submariners for their duties.

That is the nickname sailors here have given the RSN's upgraded submarine training centre at RSS Singapura - Changi Naval Base, which houses several training simulators closely modelled on the new submarines.

The simulators are a significant part of the nine-month course that the RSN's trainees must undergo before becoming full-fledged submarine operators. Before qualifying as submariners, they will still need to spend some training time on actual submarines.

The Straits Times got a glimpse of the simulators ahead of the Sept 24 commissioning of the first two Invincible-class submarines, which have entered active service.

One simulator is called the full-motion submarine dive trainer (SDT), which allows helmsman trainees to practise diving and manoeuvring procedures for the new Invincible-class submarine.

Submarines' fearsome reputation for striking without warning comes from being able to lurk at depth. A new Invincible-class submarine can stay submerged for 50 per cent longer than the Archer-class boat that preceded it, but it still has to surface every four to six weeks to run its diesel-electric engines to charge its batteries, which are used for underwater propulsion.