Speaking at a budget meeting of the Singapore Ministry of Defense in the country's parliament on February 28, Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said the aircraft are expected to be delivered around 2030.
This order is in addition to the RSAF’s existing order for 12 F-35 “B” variant jets. With the addition of eight F-35As, the RSAF’s fleet of US-made fifth-generation fighters will increase to 20.
Singapore buys 8 F-35A fighter jets. (Photo: Straits Times)
Mr Ng Eng Hen told Singapore's parliament that the two variants of the F-35 fighter jet have different strengths, which will help enhance the RSAF's capabilities.
“The F-35As are designed for longer endurance – they are capable of carrying higher capacity payloads. They complement the F-35B’s short take-off and vertical landing capabilities… providing greater operational flexibility in Singapore,” he said.
Mr Ng Eng Hen did not say how much eight F-35As would cost, but figures released by the US show that in the country's latest production batch, each F-35A will cost an average of about $82.5 million, while an F-35B costs $109 million.
Singapore's defense spending will reach $15 billion in the 2024/2025 financial year, up 2.5% from the previous year, according to Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen.
The RSAF purchased the first four F-35B jets in 2020 and these will be delivered in 2026. The eight F-35B jets purchased in 2023 are scheduled to be delivered in 2028.
Singapore is one of four countries in the Indo- Pacific region that have purchased the F-35, along with Australia, Japan and South Korea. Globally, F-35 operators include Canada, Israel, the United Kingdom and other European powers.
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