Forces armées de Singapour/Singapore Armed Forces (SAF)

Citation :

RSAF Celebrates 25 Years of Training in France

17 Juni 2023

M-346 the current advanced jet trainer and training simulators in Cazaux, southwest of Bordeaux, France. Since 1998, the base has hosted the No. 150 Squadron of the RSAF and since 15 November 2012 equipped with Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Masters to train Singaporeans fighter pilots (all photos : RSAF)


Joyeux vingt-cinquième anniversaire to 150 SQN!


The RSAF has been training in Cazaux Air Base, France for the last 25 years where the large airspace allows us to conduct realistic training. This was made possible with the strong support from the French Air and Space Force (FASF).

In these 25 years, the RSAF has progressed greatly in terms of training pedagogies. From the jet trainers such as the S-211 and the A-4SU, to the current M-346 advanced jet trainer and training simulators, these had allowed the RSAF to continuously develop highly competent aircrew to defend Singapore’s skies.

The celebration was officiated by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen and hosted by Chief of Air Force, MG Kelvin Khong.


(RSAF)


DEFENSE STUDIES: RSAF Celebrates 25 Years of Training in France (defense-studies.blogspot.com)

Citation :

Singapore Officially Receives Its First Invincible Class Submarine


21 Juli 2023


Impeccable sailing into RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base (photo : Sing Mindef)


First Invincible Class Submarine Arrives in Singapore

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN)'s Invincible-class submarine, Impeccable, was received in Singapore in a homecoming ceremony held at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base today. Chief of Navy Rear Admiral Sean Wat, senior RSN officers and submariners were present to witness the ceremony.

Launched in Kiel, Germany on 13 Dec 2022, Impeccable is one of four Invincible-class submarines designed for operations in Singapore's shallow and busy tropical waters. Custom-built for Singapore's needs, these submarines possess state-of-the-art capabilities, including high levels of automation, significant payload capacity, enhanced underwater endurance, and ergonomics optimised for the Asian physique. Their induction into the RSN will further enhance its capability to safeguard Singapore and protect its vital sea lines of communication.

Impeccable will be undergoing a series of local sea trials and workup towards full operationalisation. Invincible remains in Germany to support the training of RSN submariners, while the last two submarines are progressing well in their project development in Germany.

(Sing Mindef)


http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2023/07/singapore-officially-receives-its-first.html

Citation :

  SEP 20

US approves $3.2 Mn deal with Singapore for 1885 Colt Infantry Automatic Rifles


According to David Boey on September 12, 2023, Singapore got the US approval to buy 1,885 Colt 5.56mm caliber fully automatic rifles for
$3,189,420. This follows the confirmation by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence in May 2023 that the country has selected the Colt Infantry
Automatic Rifle (IAR), based on the Colt M4A1 carbine, as its next standard-issue automatic weapon in its army, replacing the aging Ultimax
100 Mk.2 light machine gun in the Squad Automatic Weapon role.



Singapore selected the Colt IAR as its next Squad Automatic Weapon (Picture source: Facebook page of "Colt Infantry Automatic Rifle (IAR)
Model IAR6940")


http://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2023/09/us-approves-32-mn-deal-with-singapore.html

Citation :

The RSAF's ASTER 30 Surface-to-Air Missile System Is Fully Operational

30 November 2023


RSAF Aster 30 Medium-Range Surface-to-Air Missile (photos : Sing Mindef)

Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Heng Chee How officiated at a ceremony to mark the attainment of Full Operational Capability (FOC)
status by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF)'s Aster 30 Medium-range Surface-to-Air Missile (MSAM) system. The ceremony was
held this morning at 163 Squadron at the RSAF's Air Defence and Operations Command, at Lim Chu Kang Camp II. Mr Heng received a brief
on the capabilities of the Aster 30 missile system, unveiled a commemorative plaque for the system's attainment of FOC, and thanked the
personnel from the RSAF, the Defence Technology Community (DTC) and the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) for their dedication
and commitment to Singapore's defence.



The Aster 30 missile system is an all-weather, next generation MSAM and is an integral part of the wider Island Air Defence (IAD) system that
protects Singapore 24/7. The Aster 30 missile system is tightly integrated with other advanced sensors, shooters, and command and control
systems in the IAD system to provide a multi-layered, networked, and intelligent air defence for Singapore round the clock. In addition,
the missile system can draw on information from other sensors in the IAD network to counter air threats effectively and timely, and is also
capable of engaging multiple air threats simultaneously at a longer range and with greater precision.



Speaking at the event, Mr Heng expressed confidence in the RSAF's operational readiness and capability to safeguard Singapore's skies against
a wide spectrum of air threats. He said, "As Singapore lacks geographical depth, the use of the Aster 30 missile system is particularly
apt. The system is able to intercept, at a further distance than the I-HAWK, a wider range of modern air threats, and this includes fighter
aircraft, helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and even precision-guided munitions... The RSAF is charged with the critical mission of
defending our skies. It did so valiantly every moment of these past 55 years. I have every confidence that it will live up to the trust that
Singapore and Singaporeans repose in it, as it builds and keeps strong for the challenging times ahead."



To recognise the strong teamwork and integration between the RSAF and the Defence Technology Community to fully operationalise the Aster
30 missile system and integrate it into the IAD system, Mr Heng also said, "Bringing a complex and technologically advanced system to
full working order calls for tight and effective ops-tech teamwork. It is therefore also important to recognise the valuable contributions
from the 9 Air Engineering and Logistics Group, the Defence Technology Community and the Defence Science and Technology Agency for
their superb partnership with the 163 Squadron in this joint endeavour."



Mr Heng was accompanied by Permanent Secretary (Defence) Mr Chan Heng Kee, Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, Permanent
Secretary (Defence Development) Mr Melvyn Ong, Chief of Air Force Major-General Kelvin Khong, Commander Air Defence and Operations
Command Brigadier-General Koh Ee Wen, and other senior officers from the RSAF.

(Mindef)


 http://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2023/11/the-rsafs-aster-30-surface-to-air.html

fast jets near Changi East AB pic.twitter.com/7CHoJ2LFJ9

— J.J. (@kadonkey) February 24, 2024

Citation :

RSAF to Acquire 8 F-35A Fighter Jets, Growing Its Fleet to 20 F-35s

29 Februari 2024


Future RSAF fighters consist of F35A/B and F-15SG (image: Sing Mindef)

SINGAPORE – The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will acquire eight F-35A fighter aircraft, complementing the previously announced purchase of 12 F-35Bs, said Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen.

This comes as the fifth-generation stealth planes have been proven on the battlefield, Dr Ng said during the debate on the Ministry of Defence’s (Mindef) budget on Feb 28.

The eight F-35As will arrive around 2030.

The announcement followed Mindef’s 2023 decision to buy eight F-35Bs, after an initial purchase of four F-35Bs in 2020. The aircraft is made by United States manufacturer Lockheed Martin.

The two F-35 variants have different strengths that will bolster the RSAF’s capabilities, Dr Ng told Parliament.

While Mindef did not say how much the eight F-35As will cost, figures released by the US indicate that in its latest production lot, each F-35A will cost US$82.5 million (S$111 million), while a single F-35B costs US$109 million.


Comparison of F35A and F35B (infographic: Straits Times)

Dr Ng noted that Mindef and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) may have to deprioritise other projects to buy during this window of opportunity. “But we have done our calculations, and we think this is the best time to put in the order for F-35As,” he said.

When the F-35s become operational, they will put the RSAF “in the premier league”, he added.

Delivery of the first four F-35Bs is expected in 2026, with the other eight in 2028, said Dr Ng.

They will replace the RSAF’s ageing F-16 jets, which have been in service since 1998.

The F-16s have progressively been upgraded with modern sensors and weaponry to keep them operationally ready until the mid-2030s.

Together with the F-15SGs – which attained full operational capability in 2013 – the air force will have a fleet that is capable of performing the full suite of missions required to defend Singapore’s skies, said Dr Ng. “This will be a capable air force, above all, to protect our skies,” he said.

See full article The Straits Times



https://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2024/02/rsaf-to-acquire-8-f-35a-fighter-jets.html  

Citation :

 Le quatrième Type 218SG est en voie d’achèvement à TKMS

13 avril 2024


RSS Inimitable, le quatrième sous-marin de type 218SG en voie d’achèvement par TKMS, Allemagne (photo : Eckhard Uhrbrock)



La page Shipspotting des 6 et 7 avril d’Eckhard Uhrbrock a publiée sur la construction du quatrième sous-marin commandé par le gouvernement de Singapour dans un chantier naval de la ville de Kiel, dans le nord de l’Allemagne, appartenant à ThyssenKrupp Marine Systems (TKMS). Il semble que la coque du sous-marin ait été construite presque complète.

Le gouvernement de Singapour a commandé quatre sous-marins diesel au chantier naval TKMS en Allemagne en deux vagues, les deux premières en 2013 suivies des deux autres en 2017. Ce sous-marin de type 218SG a un déplacement de 2 000 tonnes pour une longueur de 70 m et un déplacement maximal en plongée de 2 200 tonnes.

Ce quatrième sous-marin a été nommé RSS Inimitable d’après le premier sous-marin RSS Invincible, le deuxième sous-marin RSS Impeccable et le troisième sous-marin RSS Illustrious.

(Defense Studies)


https://defense-studies.blogspot.com/2024/04/type-218sg-keempat-hampir-selesai.html

Our H225M and CH-47F helicopters have attained Full Operational Capability (FOC)! This significant milestone was commemorated through a ceremony officiated by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen at Sembawang Air Base earlier today.

More: https://t.co/ptKRglLJJK pic.twitter.com/aGk31tFtyM

— The RSAF (@TheRSAF) April 11, 2024

Citation :

 APR 22

Singapore Navy launches 4th Invincible-class submarine RSS Inimitable


According to information published by the Singapore Mindef on April 22, 2024, Senior Minister Mr. Teo Chee Hean presided over the unveiling of
our fourth Invincible-class submarine RSS Inimitable in Kiel, Germany.






https://worlddefencenews.blogspot.com/2024/04/singapore-navy-launches-4th-invincible.html  

Citation :

Naval Group signed a contract with ST Engineering Marine Ltd for the upgrade of the Formidable class frigates

02 MAY 2024 DEFENSE NAVAL PRESS RELEASE

Home News News Naval Group signed a contract with ST Engineering Marine Ltd for the upgrade of the Formidable class frigates
On December 14 2023, ST Engineering announced that its subsidiary ST Engineering Marine Ltd has secured a contract with the Singapore Ministry of Defence for the mid-life upgrade of the Formidable-class frigates for the Republic of Singapore Navy. Naval Group, as ST Engineering sub-contractor, will be continuing the partnership the two companies have started in 2000 with the Formidable-class frigates construction programme.

Through this contract signed with ST Engineering Marine Ltd, Naval Group is proud to continue its cooperation with our partner, to serve the Singapore Navy.

Naval Group has a deep understanding of the Formidable frigates, as the Group has built the first vessel in the Formidable-class series on the Lorient shipyard in France. The other five were built locally by the ST Engineering shipyard, in accordance with the major transfer of technology agreement, a testimony of the strong partnership between the two companies. To achieve this project, Naval Group will work closely with Naval Group Far East, its subsidiary in Singapore who is already supporting the Singaporean Navy and ST Engineering in project management, maintenance and supply chain.

About Naval Group Far East

Naval Group Far East is a 100% subsidiary of Naval Group created in 2005, following the delivery of the Formidable frigates to the Singaporean navy. Naval Group Far East is composed of a team of 50 specialists in project management, maintenance, logistics and supply chain support.

In addition to the initial support of the maintenance program for the RSN's Formidable-class frigates, the scope has expanded including new services with a focus on coastal maritime security and support for French Navy operations in the region and innovation with Naval Group Singaporean Center of Excellence.


https://www.naval-group.com/en/naval-group-signed-contract-st-engineering-marine-ltd-upgrade-formidable-class-frigates

Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16 fighter jet crashed at Tengah Air Base shortly after takeoff around 12:35pm on May 8. The pilot successfully ejected after experiencing an issue during takeoff. #SingaporeAirForce #F16Crash #F16 pic.twitter.com/OFZ2DLzPr6

— International Defence Analysis (@Defence_IDA) May 9, 2024