F-35 purchases won’t cause defence spending surge in this year's Budget: Ng Eng Hen

SINGAPORE — There will not be a large spike in defence spending for this year's Budget, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Sunday (Jan 20), following his ministry’s announcement on Friday that it would buy a small number of F-35 Joint Strike Fighters to replace its ageing F-16s.

He said that the replacement is “part of our overall plan for modernisation” of the Singapore Armed Forces and will be done within defence budget constraints.

"We know how to stretch it out and if we plan long, we will be able do it," Dr Ng said on the sidelines of a Programme for Active Living event in Bishan.

"So it’s always a significant investment into defence, but we don't see a large spike in defence spending for this year's budget."

It has been reported that the F-35A conventional take-off and landing model costs US$89.2 million, while the F-35B model costs US$115.5 million.

Reports have suggested that Singapore is particularly interested in buying the F-35B model, which can take off from shorter runways and land like a helicopter.

On Sunday, Dr Ng also touched on the maritime and airspace disputes between Singapore and Malaysia.

"The most important takeaway from the last few weeks since the Malaysian government vessels entered into our Singapore territorial waters in Tuas, as well as the situation in Seletar and issues about airspace, is that one: We have avoided coming to blows. It's always better to settle disagreements through peaceful talks, negotiations and discussions," he said.

Dr Ng added that the two sides were "making headway" and ministers and officials from both countries are speaking to each other.

"At the same time, our security agencies (SAF, the Home Team) are ever vigilant," he said. "We watch very carefully. We know what's going on. We're able to respond very quickly."

Singapore and Malaysia have been embroiled in a dispute over Singapore’s introduction of new Instrument Landing System procedures for Seletar Airport, which Malaysia said would hamper the construction of tall buildings at Johor's Pasir Gudang, to the north of the airport. Singapore has disagreed with this.

Another dispute over maritime issues was sparked by Malaysia's unilateral decision to extend the Johor Baru port limits in October, and the subsequent intrusion of Malaysian government vessels in Singapore waters. CHANNEL NEWSASIA

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