Singapore linked to secret F-35 customized variant program

Singapore appears to be the unidentified foreign customer behind a secret U.S. Department of Defense program to develop a customized F-35 fighter jet variant. While Pentagon contract announcements typically list the recipient as an unspecified Foreign Military Sales (FMS) customer, procurement records from USAspending link the specific contract (N0001922C0015) directly to Singapore.

Lockheed Martin was recently awarded an additional $18.8 million on October 15 for system development, demonstration, and integration efforts. This latest modification extends the program through December 2030. The development effort, which began in 2021, has received more than $130 million across several contract actions. Previous modifications included a $53.4 million award in August 2022 specifically identified as ‘Singapore Group A Integration.’