Speech by Senior Minister of State for Defence, Mr Zaqy Mohamad, at the Singapore Air Force Museum Reopening Official Launch on 16 June 2026

Chief of Air Force, Major-General Kelvin Fan,

Chairman and Board of Directors of Defence Collective Singapore,

Chief Executive, Defence Collective Singapore,

Distinguished Guests,

Ladies and Gentlemen

A very good morning.

Let me begin with one question – one that this museum asks every visitor who walks through its doors. What if Singapore had no Air Force? It sounds hypothetical, but for those of us who have watched the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) grow, and seen what it is capable of today, it is anything but.

It is a reminder of how much deliberate effort, sacrifice, and vision stands between Singapore and a very different reality out there. That is the story this museum tells. And I am glad we are here today to celebrate it.

The RSAF's story begins not with triumph, but with urgency. When the British announced their withdrawal in 1968, Singapore was left to defend its own skies with almost nothing. The Singapore Air Defence Command was stood up quickly, and our pioneers trained on just two Cessna 172s leased from the Singapore Flying Club. Can you imagine, the Air Force leasing aircraft from a flying club? But that is what it was, and one hangs right above you now – one of those that our pioneer air force pilots flew. I find that image remarkable every time I think about it. Two small propeller aircraft, borrowed from a flying club, as the starting point for what would become one of the most capable air forces in the region. What those pioneers lacked in equipment, they more than made up for it in determination. Within two years, 140 Squadron was flying refurbished Hawker Hunters and the foundation had been laid.

Over the decades that followed, the RSAF grew in sophistication and ambition. In the 1980s, our engineers modified the A-4S Skyhawk into the A-4SU Super Skyhawk – upgrading its avionics and engines locally, a signal that Singapore was not just operating technology, but we were mastering it. The RSAF transformed into a command-based structure to meet evolving threats and today operates as a full-spectrum force, integrating aircraft, ground-based air defence systems, and unmanned platforms. That growth did not happen by accident. It happened because each generation of airmen and airwomen chose to push further than the generation before them.

I had the privilege of seeing the RSAF up close since joining the Ministry of Defence, and what strikes me most is not just the aircraft or the technology – though both are impressive – but it is really the people, all of you here and the generations that came before you. Earlier this year, when Singaporeans were caught in the Middle East conflict, it was the RSAF that mounted the evacuation exercise – bringing 299 Singaporeans and their dependents home safely. When called upon, the RSAF was ready in just two days. I think that speaks a lot in terms of operational readiness.

I was there to receive the first batch of Singaporeans who flew in from Riyadh. Among them was Mr Nisar whose letter of appreciation touched so many hearts that Prime Minister Wong spoke about it in his Labour Day speech. I remember the looks on their faces as they came through – the burden lifted from people who had been carrying real fear of their lives. Some of them have seen drones in the skies; others had seen detonations not far from where they were sheltered. They have all lived through something most of us here have not, and I hope never in our lifetimes. What met them when they stepped on the Changi Airport tarmac was something simple yet profound. The feeling that Singapore had come for them. That the nation had not forgotten them – that relief and gratitude did not only stay with those who came home, but it was also percolated to our citizens who were abroad as well. In that single mission, the RSAF and our inter-agency partners had done something no parade or ceremony could replicate. They had shown in the most human way possible what it means to be Singaporean. The media, and many Singaporeans online, showed their appreciation because of what the RSAF’s mission symbolises, and how this nation had their back when the need arose. Kudos to the RSAF, on how far we have come!

I also had the privilege of watching first-hand the RSAF’s Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief (HADR) efforts in the Middle East, particularly, when the RSAF aircraft conducted airdrops of humanitarian aid in Gaza, one of the most contested and difficult operating environments in the world today. These are not simple missions. They require precision, coordination, and the confidence to operate where the stakes are high – that Singapore could play a role in global humanitarian aid missions, operate elsewhere, and others too, such as Afghanistan, the Gulf of Aden, Aceh – moving logistics and dealing with operational challenges in conflict zones for disaster areas far from home. It says something important about who we are as a nation and what we are as a service, and about the trust that the international community has in us here – not just the RSAF, but it reflects the whole of Singapore.

The RSAF is not just defending Singapore. It is representing Singapore. And that professionalism is not just on display at the National Day Parade each year, although I know the flypasts are often a sense of real pride for Singaporeans.

These are the stories that our museum will bring to life. This museum captures the full arc of the RSAF's story – from those two borrowed aircraft to its capabilities today in protecting Singapore’s skies and its ability to deliver on operations all around the world – presenting these in a way that is engaging and accessible, especially for younger Singaporeans to appreciate how far the RSAF has come and where we want to head to, as well as the cultures and values that it represents.

One exhibit I want to highlight is the film What If – which was what I started with in my speech. This film challenges visitors to consider what Singapore would look like without a credible air force. It is a deceptively simple question, but it is also a powerful one. Through the film, Singaporeans get a glimpse of the everyday contributions of ordinary airmen and women performing diverse roles across the RSAF. The refresh also brings to life the RSAF’s wide–ranging vocations, from aircrew and engineers to controllers and logistics specialists, through a uniform showcase and interviews with RSAF personnel over the years. This is especially valuable for students, inspiring them to explore opportunities to serve as well.

Our nation’s security depends on all of us understanding what is at stake and playing our part in a meaningful way. This museum plays a vital role in fostering that understanding. I would like to acknowledge Colonel (Retired) Goh Yong Kiat, who volunteered as a content advisor for this refresh. He used his rich experience and knowledge as an RSAF veteran to ensure the museum accurately represents the RSAF’s history and spirit. Beyond visiting the museum, there are also many practical ways to contribute, through the SG Defence Volunteer Network, just launched last month. For instance, Mr Janiel Toh, a Navy veteran who served 42 years in the SAF, volunteers as a guide at the Navy Museum, drawing on his experience to better tell the Navy’s story. Similarly, the refreshed Air Force Museum will create new opportunities for Singaporeans and our Air Force veterans sitting here to volunteer as guides and facilitators, helping to tell the RSAF’s story over the years.

Ladies and gentlemen, let me conclude by revisiting the question posed by the film What If. What if there was no RSAF? What if, on the day Singapore needed its skies defended, there was no RSAF?

The men and women of the RSAF dedicate themselves to ensuring that such a scenario never becomes a reality. Without the RSAF, we would not have the credible deterrence that allows Singapore to engage the world from a position of confidence. They train tirelessly, remain ready at a moment's notice, and many serve far away from home so that the rest of us can live in peace. This museum preserves the memory of their contributions across generations. To our airmen and women, I hope you leave the museum with a deep sense of pride in your service and its rich heritage. You, are writing the next chapter of the RSAF’s story. And to the rest of us, I hope that you leave not just informed, but inspired and ready to play your part in keeping Singapore safe and secure.

Congratulations once again to the RSAF and Defence Collective Singapore on this successful refresh. I look forward to seeing many more Singaporeans come through these doors in the years to come.

Thank you very much, have a wonderful day ahead.