Scholz and Lee at submarine naming ceremony in Kiel

The leaders of Singapore and Germany on Tuesday attended the launch ceremony for two new submarines which were expected to further strengthen Singapore's Navy.

The submarines were officially named "Impeccable" and "Illustrious". Lee Hsien Loong, Singapore's Prime Minister said “Singapore is a maritime nation. We are highly reliant on the free and unimpeded movement of goods and services and materials across the sea for our prosperity and indeed survival.

The RSN (Republic of Singapore Navy) has the crucial mission of keeping our sealines of communication open. Submarines provide the Republic of Singapore Navy an added capability to fulfill this role.” German Chancellor Olaf Scholz and Singapore's Lee Hsien Loong both expressed the desire to further expand cooperation between their two countries.