7 RSAF aircraft heading for training in India diverted due to technical issue with F-16

SINGAPORE — Six Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16 fighter aircraft and one C-130 transport aircraft heading towards West Bengal, India, on Thursday (Oct 31) had to be diverted due to a technical issue with one of the F-16s.

The RSAF aircraft landed at Savarkar International Airport in Port Blair, in the Andaman islands, at about 12.15pm (Singapore time), the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said in response to TODAY’s queries.

“The RSAF aircraft were en route to Kalaikunda Air Force Station in West Bengal, India, to participate in the RSAF-Indian Air Force Joint Military Training,” Mindef said.

“Post-flight inspections at Port Blair concluded that all seven RSAF aircraft were in good condition to continue their journey to Kalaikunda Air Force Station.”

All seven RSAF aircraft subsequently departed Port Blair on Friday and landed safely at Kalaikunda Air Force Station on the same day at about 4pm (Singapore time), Mindef added.

Media reports in India had said that the aircraft had to make an emergency landing due to “fuel shortage”.