Speech by Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen, at the Ceremony to Mark the Full Operational Capability of the F-15SG

Minister of State, Dr Maliki Osman, Chief of Defence Force, Chief of Air Force, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen, Good afternoon.

The attainment of Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the F-15SG multi-role fighter is a major milestone for Singapore's defence capabilities. Indeed, we have one of the most modern and capable fighter aircraft fleets in the region. But we did not get here easily. It has taken about a decade to conceptualise, plan, acquire and adapt the F-15s and train our pilots in vigorous conditions. Steady progress to FOC required the sustained commitment, efforts and high standards of our airmen over the past ten years.

After the initial years of planning and preparatory work, training began in earnest in July 2008 when a core group of pilots and Weapon Systems Officers began training on the US Air Force (USAF) F-15Es. We took delivery of our first aircraft in May 2009. In April last year, I had the opportunity to visit the Peace Carvin V Detachment, where I met some of the F-15SG crew. They were very determined and focused in operationalising our F-15SGs. They were executing complex ground and flying tasks, sometimes under extreme weather conditions. And of course at Mountain Home, the weather conditions can be a bit more extreme. But I was also heartened and impressed with their professionalism and commitment to duty.  

At this ceremony, we mark this major milestone and the RSAF's rapid ascent. Let me extend my warmest congratulations to both 149 Squadron in Singapore and the RSAF detachment in Mountain Home Air Force Base in Idaho, United States, (Peace Carvin (PC) V Detachment) for these achievements. I also want to thank the hardworking and committed staff of DSTA and ST Aerospace who worked hand in hand with the RSAF, as well as the United States Air Force who provided strong support. And many of you are from these units, and I know that it’s taken many years to get here. Some of you started the programme, left the RSAF but your presence here shows that you still have strong attachment to the F-15SG. I think it’s a proud day for all of us who have been through this journey.
 
The RSAF's F-15SGs have been rigorously tested and proven superior in air defence and strike capabilities, and integrated with other air platforms within the RSAF, which together are able to respond to a spectrum of threats to defend and dominate our skies. A strong RSAF provides confidence that Singapore is well capable of defending its sovereignty and protecting our precious homeland.

As the RSAF commemorates its 45th anniversary, we reflect on how far it has progressed. The RSAF has achieved much because of steady and prudent investments in carefully chosen advanced technologies and state-of-the-art platforms which are suited for our defence needs. More importantly, the men and women of the RSAF have kept pace with changing technology and mastered each new platform, beginning first with the Hunter Hawkers and the A-4 Skyhawks in the early 70s, followed by the F-5 Tigers and the F-16 Fighting Falcons in the late 70s and 80s, and now the F-15SG. Each time we changed and added new capability was a test for the RSAF - there was no certainty of success and no lack of problems to operationalise new platforms. But I am glad that the RSAF has succeeded each time, and with each success, given us the confidence to plan and go even higher. The RSAF's current orbat, with the F-15SG and other advanced RSAF systems like the G550 airborne early warning aircraft, the SPYDER air defence system and the ASTER 30 surface-to-air missile system, provides a robust and multi-layered air defence shield to protect Singapore against a spectrum of airborne threats.

The F-15 is a combat-proven platform and one of the most capable fighter aircraft in operation today. The original F-15 Eagle fighter aircraft has a sterling combat record of 104 kills to 0 losses. In developing the RSAF's variant of the F-15, the RSAF has upgraded it with state-of-the-art sensors, avionics and weapons - it is a formidable fighter aircraft.

The RSAF's F-15SG has performed up to our high expectations. 149 SQN here in Singapore and PC V in Mountain Home have held their own when pitted against other advanced air forces in multilateral exercises like Exercise Pitch Black in Australia and Exercise Red Flag in the United States. PC V has consistently won weapon loading competitions at Mountain Home for many years. Locally, 149 SQN clinched the "Overall Champions" trophy in the RSAF's air combat competition this year, and has also been crowned the "Best Fighter Squadron" twice in its three years of F-15SG operations. I am confident that both 149 SQN and PC V will continue to win many accolades as well as the admiration of our partners and counterparts.

But beyond its individual capabilities, the F-15SG was able to network seamlessly with UAV sensors and SAF land forces to locate and conduct precision strikes against a wide array of targets at the last Ex Forging Sabre in the US in 2011. Through this exercise, the SAF has proven itself as an integrated fighting force able to utilise all the elements of the Army, Navy and Air Force to conduct operations. Periodically we exercise with other advanced military forces, to benchmark our capabilities and standards. These international partners are impressed with the SAF’s capabilities as we successfully execute difficult missions.

In closing, let me reiterate my thanks to all of you who have contributed to the operationalisation of the F-15SG. It has been a satisfying and successful journey for the RSAF and our people. To the pilots, Weapon Systems Officers, the engineers, and ground crew who all contributed towards the FOC, you can be justifiably proud of what you have achieved as we seek to strengthen our defence and fulfil the SAF's mission to protect our homeland. Thank you very much.