On February 5, 2026, during the Singapore Air Show, personnel from the U.S. 4th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron engaged in a subject matter exchange with representatives from the Republic of Singapore Air Force's headquarters department of aerospace engineering and logistics at Changi East Air Base, Singapore.
Singapore is a strong U.S. partner and has consistently provided mutual training and cooperation opportunities for the U.S. military.
Singapore has officially introduced and plans to significantly expand its F-35 stealth fighter fleet, which is a core part of its air force modernization plan.
According to an official announcement by Singapore's Minister for Defence, Dr. Ng Eng Hen, in April 2025, Singapore will purchase eight conventional takeoff and landing F-35A fighters. This is not the first procurement; in 2019, Singapore had already ordered 12 short takeoff/vertical landing F-35B models. Therefore, by 2030, the Singapore Air Force will have a total of 20 F-35 fighters, making it the first country in Southeast Asia to deploy both F-35 variants.
The newly added F-35A will gradually replace the F-16C/D fighters that are over 25 years old, while the F-35B is used to provide rapid response capabilities and deployment flexibility.
The F-35 series features advanced stealth performance, the AN/APG-81 active electronically scanned array radar, and the "Joint Helmet Display System," significantly enhancing the Singapore Air Force's situational awareness and long-range strike capabilities, allowing it to maintain a technological advantage over regional air forces.
Original article: toutiao.com/article/1856425036603404/
Disclaimer: The article represents the views of the author alone.