Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at a ceremony to mark the achievement of Full Operational Capability (FOC) status by the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) Gulfstream 550 Airborne Early Warning (G550-AEW) aircraft at Tengah Air Base this afternoon. Prior to the ceremony, the RSAF's 111 Squadron, which operates the G550-AEW aircraft, hosted Dr Ng to a familiarisation flight to observe a training mission.

Speaking at the FOC ceremony, Dr Ng highlighted the significance of employing advanced AEW technology to enhance Singapore's networked air defence capabilities. He said, "The G550-AEW together with the RSAF's fighter squadrons and ground-based Air Defence units, are a powerful network that represents a quantum jump in the SAF's ability to identify potential aerial threats early and respond decisively, in peace or in war." Dr Ng also commended the men and women of 111 Squadron for their hard work in operationalising the capability. He said, "Today's parade to mark the full operational capability of the aircraft, just six months after the delivery of the fourth G550-AEW last October, shows the rapid progress achieved through hard work. It is a positive testament to the adaptability and professionalism of our people to master sophisticated systems systematically within a short span of time."

With a detection range of more than 200 nautical miles, the G550-AEW aircraft allows the RSAF to see farther, and respond more effectively to aerial threats in various operational situations. Since the arrival of the first G550-AEW aircraft in Feb 2009, pilots, air warfare officers and maintenance crew of 111 Squadron have undergone intensive training to operate and maintain the aircraft, as well as to integrate the aircraft to support the Singapore Armed Forces' round-the-clock operations. During this period, the squadron also participated in major exercises such as Exercise Cope Tiger and Exercise Bersama Lima.

Also present at the ceremony were Minister of State for Defence and Education Mr Lawrence Wong, Chief of Air Force Major-General Ng Chee Meng as well as other senior officers from the SAF.