Singapore, 9 April - On March 3, 2025, Singapore’s Minister for Defense, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, announced the nation’s decision to acquire eight additional F-35A fighter jets from the United States, a move that strengthens the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) position as a formidable regional power. This acquisition builds on Singapore’s earlier commitment to purchase 12 F-35B variants, bringing the total number of fifth-generation stealth fighters in its fleet to 20 by the end of the decade. The announcement, made during the Committee of Supply Debate as part of the fiscal year 2025 defense budget discussions, underscores Singapore’s strategic intent to modernize its air force and ensure long-term security in an increasingly complex geopolitical landscape. The Ministry of Defense (MINDEF) has outlined a delivery timeline that sees the eight F-35As arriving around 2030, complementing the phased arrival of the F-35Bs, with the first four expected in 2026 and the remaining eight by 2028.
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The decision to procure both the F-35A and F-35B variants reflects a deliberate strategy to diversify the RSAF’s capabilities. The F-35A, designed for conventional takeoffs and landings, offers superior endurance and a higher payload capacity—approximately 8,160 kilograms compared to the F-35B’s 6,800 kilograms. This makes it ideal for missions requiring extended range and heavier ordnance, enhancing Singapore’s ability to project power and respond to a broad spectrum of threats. In contrast, the F-35B’s short takeoff and vertical landing (STOVL) capability provides operational flexibility, a critical advantage for a land-scarce nation like Singapore, where traditional runways could be vulnerable in conflict scenarios. By integrating both variants, the RSAF aims to create a versatile and resilient fighter fleet capable of addressing diverse operational needs, from long-range strike missions to rapid deployment in contested environments.
This latest purchase is part of a broader modernization effort to phase out Singapore’s aging fleet of 60 F-16 Fighting Falcons, which have served as the backbone of the RSAF since the late 1990s. The F-16s, currently undergoing mid-life upgrades to maintain operational readiness, are slated for progressive retirement starting in the early 2030s. The transition to the F-35 platform, combined with the RSAF’s existing F-15SG fighters, will position Singapore’s air force among the most advanced in the region. The F-35’s stealth features, advanced sensor suite, and networked warfare capabilities represent a significant leap forward, enabling the RSAF to detect, track, and engage adversaries with unprecedented precision while sharing real-time battlefield data with other forces.
Singapore’s investment in the F-35 program, which began with its participation as a Security Cooperation Participant in 2003, has been methodical and calculated. The initial order of four F-35Bs in 2020, valued at an estimated $2.75 billion, included an option for eight more, which was exercised in 2023. The addition of the F-35As in 2025 reflects confidence in the aircraft’s battlefield-proven performance, seen in operations against targets like the Islamic State and in reconnaissance missions over Ukraine. Globally, with nearly 2,500 F-35s on order, the program’s maturing production pipeline has driven costs down, making the F-35A’s price—approximately $82.5 million per unit in recent U.S. production lots—competitive with other advanced fighters like the F-15EX. For Singapore, this affordability, paired with the aircraft’s capabilities, presented a timely opportunity to accelerate its acquisition plans. The RSAF has prepared extensively for this transition, leveraging training opportunities with U.S. forces, including simulator sessions and multinational exercises like Exercise Pitch Black. Singaporean pilots and technicians have honed their skills at bases like Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas, ensuring a seamless integration of the F-35 into the force. The fiscal year 2025 defense budget, set at S$23.4 billion (approximately $17.4 billion), a 12.4% increase from the previous year, provides the financial backing for this acquisition, maintaining defense spending at around 3% of GDP—a consistent level that has enabled long-term investments like the F-35 program. As Singapore navigates a volatile regional security environment, the addition of eight F-35As reinforces its commitment to deterrence and technological superiority, ensuring the RSAF remains a step ahead in safeguarding the nation’s skies.