Singapore’s Defence Ministry plans to order eight F-35A jets, bringing their Joint Strike Fighter fleet to 20. This purchase would be in addition to earlier orders for 12 F-35Bs from Lockheed Martin. The Ministry aims to capitalize on competitive pricing of F-35As, now comparable to Boeing’s F-15 jets, according to Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.
F-35As offer conventional takeoff and landing, endurance, higher payloads, and operational flexibility, which aligns with Singapore’s limited land space. The Ministry has proposed a SG$20.2 billion defense budget for the year, reflecting a steady allocation of around 3% of GDP for defense spending over the years.
Ng mentioned concerns about global conflicts like Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the Israel-Hamas war, and tensions between the U.S. and China. He highlighted the need for Singapore to be self-reliant in defense, emphasizing that the country does not plan to depend on external assistance in times of crisis.
