Air Force Leadership Discusses Future Plans Amid Ongoing Upgrades
SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will continue to operate its F-16C/D fighter jets for “at least another decade,” as announced by Chief of Air Force Major-General (MG) Kelvin Khong on Monday (Feb 14). He also noted that the RSAF is closely monitoring the developments related to F-35 stealth fighter jets.
In 2019, Singapore revealed plans to purchase four F-35B fighter jets for comprehensive testing, with the option to acquire eight more. The F-35s are intended to replace the RSAF’s aging F-16 fleet, which is expected to face obsolescence globally after 2030.
“We will continue to operate these F-16 aircraft for at least another decade and are working towards their replacement as they reach the end of their operational life,” MG Khong stated in response to questions during this year’s Singapore Airshow.
He highlighted that the RSAF’s fleet of F-16C/Ds is undergoing phased upgrades, with deliveries of the enhanced models commencing in June 2021. “Subsequent deliveries will be rolled out progressively to ensure the RSAF maintains a capable fleet to meet our defence requirements,” he added.
The F-16 upgrades began in 2016, as noted in a previous Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) fact sheet, and are expected to be completed over five to six years. These enhancements include a new Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar that allows the F-16 to detect and engage multiple targets from greater distances, along with improved ground-attack capabilities using precision munitions.
The upgraded aircraft will also feature advanced air-to-air weapons and enhanced pilot situational awareness through datalink capabilities and a helmet-mounted display.
In 2019, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen indicated that the F-16s, which have been in service since 1998, would need to be retired soon after 2030, even after undergoing mid-life upgrades. MINDEF subsequently identified the F-35 as the most suitable replacement for the F-16s.
MG Khong shared that the RSAF’s four F-35Bs, expected to arrive around 2026, will be deployed in the continental US for training and evaluation purposes. He emphasized that the F-35’s advanced capabilities, including its short takeoff and vertical landing features, will be tested, along with integration requirements with the Singapore Armed Forces’ “warfighting systems.”
“We have stringent and rigorous evaluation processes in place and have been closely following the developments of the F-35,” he noted. “We will ensure that the F-35Bs meet our requirements before they are inducted into operations.”
On Jan 24, a US Navy F-35C, designed for carrier operations, crash-landed on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson and fell into the sea during routine operations. This incident marked the third time an F-35 has entered the ocean, following similar occurrences involving a British F-35B in November and a Japanese F-35A in 2019.
Finland recently formalized its decision to purchase F-35s, with plans to acquire 64 F-35As, along with a weapons and sustainment package and a comprehensive training program, according to Lockheed Martin, the jet’s manufacturer.
Last June, MINDEF announced that the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, was chosen as the preferred location for the RSAF’s F-35B fighter training detachment. The RSAF’s F-16 training detachment at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona will also be relocated to the Ebbing base.
MG Khong indicated that the final decision is pending an environmental impact assessment by the US Department of the Air Force to determine if the Ebbing base can support the RSAF’s requirements. Co-locating the RSAF’s F-35Bs and F-16 aircraft will enhance integrated training opportunities between the RSAF’s fourth- and fifth-generation fighter jets, facilitating joint training and exchanges with the US Air Force and US Marine Corps F-35s.
MG Khong also disclosed that Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township, Michigan, has been established as an alternative location. “We will continue to collaborate closely with relevant agencies regarding the basing and will provide further information in due course,” he added.
Regarding the RSAF’s other fighter jet, the F-15SG, MG Khong stated that the force will continually review its capabilities and evaluate the need for upgrades to ensure the aircraft’s operational relevance and effectiveness.
In January, the US announced a US$471.3 million contract for Boeing to assist Japan in upgrading its F-15 fleet to enhance its combat capabilities alongside the nation’s growing fleet of F-35s. Boeing will develop an integrated suite of aircraft systems to support the modification of Japan’s F-15 weapon system trainers.
MG Khong emphasized the F-15SG’s critical role in Singapore’s multi-layered air defence system, stating, “These fighter jets have served us well since their delivery in 2009 and remain a vital component of our next-generation SAF.”
The RSAF will also continue to operate its Apache AH-64D attack helicopters, although MG Khong noted that the force will upgrade or acquire new systems as needed to maintain operational capability and effectiveness. “Since we acquired the AH-64D Apache Helicopters in 1999, it has proven to be a versatile platform capable of executing various missions day and night, against land, sea, and air threats in all weather conditions,” he remarked.
Adapting to Evolving Threats
The Chief of Air Force acknowledged that future air combat is expected to evolve, given the complex and challenging security landscape characterized by a wide range of conventional and unconventional threats. The RSAF continues to explore potential new concepts, including manned-unmanned teaming involving unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), and MG Khong indicated that more information regarding the RSAF’s UAV renewal plan will be provided in due course.
To address drone threats, the RSAF has enhanced its early warning capabilities using sensors like the Multi-Mission Radar, which can detect medium and long-range weaponized drones. MG Khong noted that these drone threats can be neutralized by Singapore’s Island Air Defence (IAD) system, which utilizes artificial intelligence and data analytics to provide a real-time comprehensive air situation picture by integrating and fusing data from multiple sources.
The IAD system has been integrated with anti-drone platforms such as the Surface-to-Air PYthon-5 and DERby-Air Defence System, along with the Aster 30 missile system. MG Khong stated that the RSAF will evolve in “dynamic and multifaceted ways,” investing in both conventional air combat capabilities and developing capabilities to address emerging threats.
“I expect that air combat will not be limited to traditional engagements between large formations of aircraft, but will focus on how effectively an air force can seamlessly integrate conventional air combat capabilities with technology across multiple domains to create a force multiplier effect,” he concluded.
