USA approves Singapore to buy up to 12 F-35B stealth fighters
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USA approves Singapore to buy up to 12 F-35B stealth fighters
On Flight Global. Seems like the Singaporeans are going to join the F-35B fan club. 
From the article:-
From the article:-
The US State Department approved a possible Foreign Military Sale of up to 12 Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning II stealth fighters to Singapore for an estimated $2.75 billion.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency says that it notified the US Congress on 9 January.
The Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency says that it notified the US Congress on 9 January.
Seems a bit OTT but it will give them a capability well beyond anyone else in the region guess
Likewise, SD. I wonder if they got a real good price and intend to work the 'interopability with USMC' and 'interopability with UK' angle as a reason for the B versus A decision?
Asturias56
They can afford them, as some others can't, so perhaps their idea is "why not go leading edge if you can afford it?"
Asturias56
They can afford them, as some others can't, so perhaps their idea is "why not go leading edge if you can afford it?"
They take an Israeli view as to the benefits of technological edge. It's hard to see what sort of tactics you can have when you're on a small island tho..................
It's hard to see what sort of tactics you can have when you're on a small island tho...............
If the buckets of instant sunshine start flying its a very small island indeed..........................
"I think the Singaporeans are well aware of the limitations of their geography"
yes - they must curse the British for not arranging to buy a few more islands to the south from the VOC in the 19th century
yes - they must curse the British for not arranging to buy a few more islands to the south from the VOC in the 19th century
China's missile program is arguably the most active in the world and has provided the PLA with the ability to launch hundreds of ballistic and cruise missiles at air bases and other critical targets in Taiwan, Japan, or the Philippines. - RAND
You mean like having your big guns pointed at the sea when the threat is coming from the landside. I think the Singaporeans are well aware of the limitations of their geography and understand the need for the latest equipment. They have operated the F15 for years so the F35 is a logical upgrade. If the US offered the F22 they would probably have bought them.
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Oh, how the World has moved on. I flew with the Singapore Air Force in (69/70) in one of their (2/3) Cessna 172s ... that was the inventory! And conducted OJT with their first 2 Mil ATCOs.
And look at Tengah Airbase now, on Google Earth, compared with what it used to be in my days.
From little acorns, etc. etc.
And look at Tengah Airbase now, on Google Earth, compared with what it used to be in my days.
From little acorns, etc. etc.
The Singaporean F-15's are permanently based in America, aren't they? Having them based in Singapore would be pointless because they would immediately lose their runway in a real war. Hence the choice of the B because there would be a realistic chance of operating in wartime.
F-15s Paya Lebar
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paya_Lebar_Air_Base
F-16s Tengah
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tengah_Air_Base
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I wonder if they are busy painting out the Turkish markings as we speak.
Seems a bit OTT but it will give them a capability well beyond anyone else in the region guess
I wonder if they are busy painting out the Turkish markings as we speak.
Last edited by Mil-26Man; 13th Jan 2020 at 07:31.
"Except the Koreans, Japanese and Australians."
They're all 300-4500 kms away and not even the most gungho LM fan reckons an F-35 can make those distances. Plus I doubt the Singaporean's worry about them.
Their priorities are Malaysia, Indonesia and maybe Thailand - I don't think they want to get into a face-off with China
Buying the B model not only gives them dispersal options but also allows them to cross-operate with a range of other navies if they want to.
They're all 300-4500 kms away and not even the most gungho LM fan reckons an F-35 can make those distances. Plus I doubt the Singaporean's worry about them.
Their priorities are Malaysia, Indonesia and maybe Thailand - I don't think they want to get into a face-off with China
Buying the B model not only gives them dispersal options but also allows them to cross-operate with a range of other navies if they want to.
I didn't say they were neighbours or potential adversaries, but that they are in the same region. And if Australia is close enough for Singapore to base a shed load of its tanks there and New Zealand close enough that Singapore wanted to base a shed-load of its jets there, then I would say that Korea and Japan are close enough to be described as being in the same region also. No?
To your other points, yes.
To your other points, yes.
Ecce Homo! Loquitur...
"Except the Koreans, Japanese and Australians."
They're all 300-4500 kms away and not even the most gungho LM fan reckons an F-35 can make those distances. Plus I doubt the Singaporean's worry about them.
They're all 300-4500 kms away and not even the most gungho LM fan reckons an F-35 can make those distances. Plus I doubt the Singaporean's worry about them.
I didn't say they were neighbours or potential adversaries, but that they are in the same region. And if Australia is close enough for Singapore to base a shed load of its tanks there and New Zealand close enough that Singapore wanted to base a shed-load of its jets there, then I would say that Korea and Japan are close enough to be described as being in the same region also. No?
To your other points, yes.
To your other points, yes.