SINGAPORE: Singapore has determined to amass 4 Boeing P-8A maritime patrol plane to switch the present Fokker-50s, which have been in use for over three many years.
That is a part of the primary part of the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) refresh of its maritime security capabilities “to strengthen the SAF’s maritime scenario consciousness and skill to counter sub-surface threats”, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) mentioned on Wednesday (Sep 10) in a information launch.
The Boeing P-8A, an plane designed for maritime patrol, comes outfitted with anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Its suite of sensors and radar methods permits it to be deployed in a spread of maritime missions.
It may also be deployed for search and find missions and is fitted with superior avionics, in addition to the fly-by-wire management methods featured within the civil Boeing 737 plane.
The Boeing P-8A is presently operated by 9 nations, together with the United States, the UK and Australia.
Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing met with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth on the Pentagon on Wednesday and knowledgeable him of Singapore’s determination, mentioned MINDEF.
Mr Chan additionally famous that manufacturing on the 20 F-35 jets acquired by Singapore has commenced and is on observe for supply from end-2026.
He additionally thanked Mr Hegseth for the US’ “longstanding assist for the SAF’s coaching within the US”, together with for Exercise Forging Sabre in Idaho, and the longer term RSAF coaching detachment at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas“, MINDEF mentioned.
