Page 6 - ADT JANUARY - FEBRUARY 2021 Online Magazine

is one of the youngest air forces in the world with a carefully [ COVER STORY ]
thought out procurement process allowing it to grow into one of
the most modern in the world. The biennial Singapore Airshow is
also expected to provide an insight in the latest developments at
the RSAF which is also the only air arm in SE Asia to have ordered
Combat the F-35 5th generation fighter jet with deliveries slated to com-
Edge Singapore was a participant in the F-35 programme as early as
mence in 2026.

2003 as a Security Cooperation Participant and went on to select
the F-35B as its next generation fighter jet in 2019. The sale was
approved by the United States government in 2020 with a pro-
gramme of record for four F-35 B-variant aircraft. Singapore has
received U.S. approval for purchase of up to 12 F-35B Short Take-
THE REPUBLIC OF SINGAPORE AIR Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) aircraft and related equipment
FORCE IS TRANSITIONING INTO A at an estimated cost of US$2.75 billion. The RSAF also boasts of a
SENSE-AND-STRIKE FORCE formidable fleet of multi-role fighters, comprising of approximately
60 F-16C/D Block 52 and F-16D Block 52+ and 24 F-15SG fighters.

Atul Chandra Sense and Strike

The RSAF has invested significant time, effort and money to ensure
Asian air arms continue to induct newer and interoperability between its platforms and also with the army and
more sophisticated aircraft with heightened navy. The RSAF seeks to use timely and accurate information
regional tensions providing the necessary provided by airborne and ground based sensors to "Out-Sense"
procurement impetuses. Despite the flurry of the adversary and "Out-Smart" them by accurately interpreting the
inductions of advanced fighter aircraft in the sensor data and communicating it from a networked command
region, the Republic of Singapore Air Force post to air and land based strike units. Once this is done, the RSAF’s
(RSAF) has taken the lead amongst regional combat aircraft can "Out-Shoot" the adversary. RSAF F-15SG and
air forces with regards to seamless integration F-16C/D multi-role fighters carry laser-guided GBU-31s or 2000 Ib
and interoperability of its assets with the army Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAM) which can destroy multiple
and navy. moving enemy targets, such as tanks and multiple launch rocket
systems in a single pass.

Growth in Stature Towards this end, the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF) participated
The RSAF came into being in April 1975 and in the biennial Exercise Forging Sabre to test their land and air

6 | January/February 2022 WWW .GBP .COM.SG/ ADT