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.
"The F-35As are designed for greater endurance - they have the ability to carry payloads of higher capacity," he said.
This story is from the February 29, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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This story is from the February 29, 2024 edition of The Straits Times.
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