Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Defence Teo Chee Hean officiated at the launch ceremony of the Republic of Singapore Navy's (RSN) first Archer-class submarine, RSS Archer, at the Kockums Shipyard in Karlskrona, Sweden, on June 16.

The submarine was launched by Mrs Teo Chee Hean.

Speaking at the launch, Mr Teo said the RSN's mission is to secure the seaward defence of Singapore and to protect Singapore's Sea Lines of Communication.

The RSN crew members have been training in Sweden for the past two years to operate and maintain these submarines. RSS Archer will undergo sea trials after its launch and is expected to return to Singapore in 2010.

The launch of RSS Archer reflects the deep defence cooperation and longstanding friendship between Singapore and Sweden.

Over the years, Singapore's defence relationship with Sweden has matured to encompass wide-ranging interactions and collaborative projects such as the assistance provided by the Royal Swedish Navy (RSwN) to build up the RSN's mine-countermeasure force and submarine capability.