According to Singapore's "Straits Times" 28**, Singapore's Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said that the Singapore Air Force will purchase 8 F-35A fighters as a supplement to the 12 F-35B fighters previously purchased. It is said that the eight F-35A fighters will be delivered to Singapore around 2030.
Singapore first decided to purchase four F-35B fighters in 2020 and an additional eight F-35B fighters in 2023. Huang Yonghong told the Singapore Parliament on the 28th that equipping two different models of F-35 fighters at the same time can provide different performance advantages and will enhance the combat capability of the Singapore Air Force, "The F-35A can carry more payload, while the F-35B has short take-off and vertical landing capabilities, which provides greater operational flexibility." ”
Huang Yonghong said that nearly 2,500 F-35 fighter jets have been ordered worldwide, and the fighter jet is now more competitive. "While the Singapore Army has had to deprioritize other ** procurement items in order to procure F-35A fighter jets, we have done the math and we believe that now is the best time to order the F-35A," he said. ”
According to reports, the first four F-35B fighter jets purchased by Singapore are expected to be delivered in 2026, and another eight will be delivered in 2028. They will replace the F-16 fighters that have been in service with the Singapore Air Force since 1998.
Chen Jia.