S'pore identifies F-35 fighter jet to replace F-16s following five-year evaluation

SINGAPORE — Singapore expects to buy a "small number" of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) for a full evaluation after it identified the jet as the "most suitable replacement" for its ageing F-16s, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) announced on Friday (Jan 18). 

This follows a five-year technical evaluation by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Defence Science and Technology Agency.

"The technical evaluation also concluded 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,” MINDEF said.

"In the next phase, 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."

In a Facebook post, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said this phase might take nine to 12 months, adding that relevant agencies will speak to their US counterparts to "move the process forward".

Details that will be discussed include price, quantity and which variant of the jet to buy, as well as issues like logistical requirements and the training of pilots.

"Our RSAF’s F-16s that were in service since 1998 will have to retire soon after 2030, even after their mid-life upgrades," Dr Ng said.

"That’s not very far away, just over 10 years, to acquire their replacement and, just as important, to build the logistic support and train pilots individually and as a fleet to guard our skies." CHANNEL NEWSASIA

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