NEW SUBS: Going tropical

    The Sjoormen Class submarines acquired by the Republic of Singapore Navy are being tropicalised to prepare them for Singapore's warmer waters.

    According to the Defence Ministry, the tropicalisation programme will have to take into account that warmer waters encourage the growth of marine barnacles on the submarine's hull.

    The higher salt content of tropical waters also makes the pipes and values more susceptible to corrosion.

    To tackle these problems and increase crew comfort, the submarines will have:

• Copper nickel iron pipes and values in place of steel ones, to reduce corrosion when in contact with sea water.

• A marine growth protection system to minimise barnacle growth.

• Two freon compressors to cool the interior of the submarine.

(taken from The Straits Times, 29/5/99)