Singapore reveals details of F-35 stealth fighter procurement

Singapore has officially revealed the total value of its contract to acquire F-35 stealth fighter jets from the United States. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is expected to receive its first F-35 aircraft at a U.S. air base by the end of 2026, with the jets arriving in Singapore starting in 2029.

The fleet will consist of 20 aircraft in total. Twelve of these will be the F-35B variant, which features short takeoff and vertical landing capabilities. These twelve jets will be stationed long-term at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, to facilitate training operations. The remaining eight aircraft will be the F-35A variant, which offers a larger weapon payload and greater fuel capacity, and will be stationed at Tengah Air Base in Singapore.

Singapore initially ordered four F-35B jets in 2019, later exercising an option in 2023 to purchase eight more, bringing the F-35B total to twelve. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) is currently designing the primary operational facilities for the F-35A jets in Singapore, with operations expected to commence around the third quarter of 2029.