×

Maintenance Repair & Overhaul Space Air Cargo

Home- Stories

Singapore Chooses F-35 as Next Fighter

: Jan 18, 2019 - : 8:53 am

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has announced that The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) have completed their technical evaluation to identify the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) as the most suitable replacement for its F-16 fleet.

The RSAF’s F-16 fleet which entered service in 1998 is due for retirement after 2030.

However, Singapore has also decided that the RSAF should first purchase a small number of F-35 JSFs for a full evaluation of their capabilities and suitability before deciding on a full fleet

Singapore’s MINDEF will discuss details with relevant parties in the US before confirming its decision to acquire the F-35 JSFs for Singapore’s defence capabilities.

“Our agencies will now have to speak to their US counterparts to move the process forward, which may take 9 – 12 months before a decision is made. Even then, we want to procure a few planes first, to fully evaluate the capabilities of the F-35 before deciding on the acquisition of a full fleet. We must prepare well and cater enough time to replace our F-16s,” said Singapore’s Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen in a Facebook stories.

Singapore’s DSTA Defence Science and Technology Agency and the RSAF took more than five years to complete their detailed evaluation of the F-35, whose developmental flight testing was completed in early 2018.

The RSAF’s F-16s are due to be retired soon after 2030, following the completion of planned mid-life upgrades.

MORE NEWS

Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.

Popular Posts

Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.

Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us