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Dr Ng: Singapore Airshow to feature inaugural aerial displays by the US' Fifth Generation Fighters and PLAAF's Ba Yi Aerobatics Team
7 February 2020
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Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen (second from left) interacting with Republic of Singapore Air Force servicemen at Changi Air Base (East) while visiting aerial display teams participating in Singapore Airshow 2020.
Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen visited the teams participating in this year's Singapore Airshow flying display this afternoon.
During his visit, Dr Ng interacted with the aircrew from the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), the United States Marine Corps (USMC), United States Pacific Air Forces (PACAF) and the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) Ba Yi aerobatics team. Dr Ng was given a tour of Ba Yi's J-10 fighter jets, and the United States' fifth generation fighter jets such as the F-22 Raptor and the F-35B Joint Strike Fighter, all of which are performing at the Singapore Airshow for the first time. Dr Ng also visited the RSAF's integrated display team of F-15SG fighters and AH-64D Apache helicopters.
Dr Ng thanked all the teams for their support and participation in this Singapore Airshow, and underscored the strong bilateral defence relations Singapore has with both countries. He said, "I am very thankful that for this Airshow, apart from the Republic of Singapore Air Force that is performing, that we also have the United States Air Force (USAF) and United States Marine Corps (USMC), as well as the People's Liberation Army Air Force (PLAAF) here with their wonderful planes performing. It is really a vote of confidence; it is also a measure of how strong our relationship is... The USAF and USMC not only are here now but in fact, what they have brought for this Airshow is more than they have ever done. For the first time in the region, they have both the F-22 as well as the F-35Bs performing... For the PLAAF, the People's Liberation Army Air Force, I had visited China last year and signed the enhanced Agreement on Defence Exchanges and Security Cooperation. At that time, I invited them both, Vice Chairman Xu QiLiang and General Wei Fenghe for the Ba Yi, the famous Ba Yi to perform in the Airshow. And the reason being that, this year is the 30th year of diplomatic ties and we thought that would be a good way to commemorate the 30th anniversary."
Dr Ng was accompanied by Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Melvyn Ong, Chief of Air Force Major-General Kelvin Khong and other senior MINDEF officials.
The Singapore Airshow 2020 will be held from 11 to 16 February.
Dr Ng (middle, in white) receiving a brief on the United States' Marine Corps F-35B Joint Strike Fighter.
Dr Ng visiting the aircrew from the People's Liberation Army Air Force Ba Yi aerobatics team.
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