Republic of Singapore Air Force

RSAF's F-16DJ at EX Red Flag (USA)

The Republic of Singapore Air Force was established in 1968 and was at that time called the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC), it was later named the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 1975. The backbone of the RSAF is formed by a number of Block 15 and Block 52 F-16 Fighting Falcons.

Due to the small area Singapore covers (only 647,5 square km), the RSAF had to seek overseas locations to operate its complete aircraft inventory. With F-16 Fighting Falcons, KC-135 Stratotankers, AH-64D Apaches and CH-47D Chinook helicopters based in the USA, Marchetti S-211’s and Puma helicopters in Australia and A-4 Super Skyhawks in France, almost on third of the inventory is based outside Singapore.

In 1994 the RSAF started the modernization program for its fleet of approximately 40 operational (R)F-5E and F-5F aircraft. The upgrade was performed by Singapore Technologies Aerospace (STAero) and the upgraded aircraft were designated (R)F-5S and F-5T respectively, operating from Paya Lebar Airbase. The Fighter force of F-16's, (T)A-4SU's and (R)F-5S/T's is supported by four KC-135R’s for in-flight refuelling.

Air Early Warning and Control (AEW&C) capability was introduced when in 1987 four E-2C Hawkeyes were delivered to 111sq and costal surveillance is performed by four Fokker 27's, and five Fokker 50's in the Maritime Patrol Aircraft configuration.

Singapore has ordered eight Apache AH-64D Longbow attack helicopters and after a long period of negotiations over the delivery of the sophisticated AN/APG 68 Longbow radar, the first one was handed over on May 17, 2002, fitted with the Fire Control Radar. An extra batch of twelve Apaches was ordered in 2001, before the first delivery actually took place, so eventually the RSAF will operate 20 of those sophisticated attack helicopters. All initial 8 Apaches are based in USA. 4 of the Apache Longbow were expected to return home by 2008, but will be returning in 2006 at the Minister of Defense's request. Apart from the six CH-47D's delivered from 1996 on, a new batch of six aircraft was ordered in 1997, with an option of four extra airframes. Three of the new batch are operational with 127sq at Sembawang and there is a chance that these will be upgraded to CH-47SD standards.

The introduction of a next generation fighter aircraft is also considered. In February 2003, Singapore joined the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) System Design and Development (SDD) Phase, as a Security Co-operation Participant (SCP). The first deliveries of the F-35 are not expected before 2015, but a replacement for the Skyhawk is needed by 2007. As a start, some 20 F-16D-52+ are to be delivered from 2003 under project Peace Carvin IV. An additional eighteen to 24 aircraft are needed, and competitors are the Eurofighter Typhoon, AMD-BA Rafale, Boeing F-15T. These possible acquisitions must keep the RSAF up-and-running way into the 21st century.

The RSAF also operates Air Defense assets in the form of SAMs and ADA. Some of which are permanently assigned to Army Division units.

External Links:

RSAF official homepage: http://www.mindef.gov.sg/rsaf/main.asp