The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is set to bolster its aerial capabilities by acquiring eight F-35A fighter jets in addition to the previously announced order of 12 F-35Bs.
The RSAF’s forthcoming fleet will now consist of F-35A, F-35B, and F-15SG fighters.
Both the F-35A and F-35B variants have similar stealth and sensor capabilities. The F-35B has Short Take-Off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) capabilities, which allow it to operate from a broader range of platforms and terrains, an advantageous feature for the small island country. On the other hand, the F-35A was selected for inclusion in the RSAF fleet due to its extended endurance and higher payload capacity.
The Singapore authorities are taking steps to strengthen the future RSAF fighter fleet as they prepare to retire the F-16s by the mid-2030s. Currently, the RSAF has a fleet of 60 F-16C/D/D+s and 40 F-15SGs in operation.
