Singapore picks US F-35 fighter jet over Europe, China rivals
Singapore has chosen the F-35 warplane to replace its ageing fighter jets, opting for the US aircraft over European and Chinese models, the defence ministry said Friday.
The affluent city-state, which has one of Asia's best equipped militaries, had earlier said it was evaluating Lockheed Martin's F-35 along with Europe's Eurofighter Typhoon and Chinese-made stealth warplanes.
‘The F-16s will have to retire soon after 2030 and the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter has been identified as the most suitable replacement to maintain the Republic of Singapore Air Force capabilities,’ the ministry of defence said in a statement.
The ministry said the air force should first buy ‘a small number’ of F-35s ‘for a full evaluation of their capabilities and suitability before deciding on a full fleet’.
Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said in a Facebook post Friday that it took Singapore more than five years to make a decision as they had to look carefully at specifications and what was needed.
‘Our agencies will now have to speak to their US counterparts to move the process forward,’ Ng said.
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Defence Notes
-
![EU commits to increased defence spending and boosting capability]()
EU commits to increased defence spending and boosting capability
There has been increased pressure from the second-term Trump administration in the US, as there was in the first term, for increased defence spending from non-US NATO countries, a move which is noted by Europe as already occurring.
-
![Can the Trump administration overcome the Pentagon's multiple capability integration issues?]()
Can the Trump administration overcome the Pentagon's multiple capability integration issues?
Better integration of systems and sensors across the branches will be critical to ensuring deterrence and readiness.
-
![Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”]()
Trump enters the White House promising into bring the US military to a “golden age”
The returning US president also reiterated a commitment to supply the services with “made-in-America” capabilities and to end conflicts worldwide.
-
![Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force]()
Incoming Irish government backs plans for larger defence force
It has been more than six weeks since the Irish general election. After long negotiations, a coalition of two of the three largest parties and independents has resulted in a Programme for Government (PfG) which will form the basis of a government almost guaranteed to be formed on 22 January.
-
![Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent]()
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
-
![UK begins process on new industrial strategy]()
UK begins process on new industrial strategy
The first stage of developing a new UK Defence Industrial Strategy has highlighted failings in current structures with solutions expected to be proposed in next year’s full strategy.
