Mr Lawrence Wong, Minister of State for Defence and Education,
Chief of Air Force,
Senior Commanders,
Distinguished Guests,
Ladies and Gentlemen,

Let me extend my warmest congratulations to 111 Squadron on attaining Full Operational Capability of the Gulfstream G550 Airborne Early Warning aircraft.

Airborne Early Warning, or AEW, as all of us know, platforms are critical for a small country like Singapore. They eliminate risks of surprise from the air as they provide us a critical edge with persistent and all weather ability to detect, identify and track aerial threats the whole year round. Together with our ground-based radar systems they form an effective alert system to any threat in our airspace and allow us to mount quickly a counter response through our aircraft and air defence systems.

Because airborne early warning is critical to the defence of Singapore, we have invested considerable resources. I think we spent many years, first with the E2C, now what you see behind me, the RSAF G550-AEW. I think it is an accomplishment that we can be all very proud of. I remember the early discussions when we came to MINDEF, and the many tradeoffs that we have to make, the problems that we weighed, technical and operational decisions. But I think we have proven to ourselves that we are able to undertake highly complex projects, and beyond just G550-AEW. I think the greatest achievement is that particular mindset that when we put our minds into it, when it is multi-faceted, where it requires high technological expertise, coordination with various agencies, we can deliver, and within a very quick timeframe. With its state-of-the-art integrated advanced radar and communications systems, the RSAF G550 is one of the most sophisticated AEW platforms in the world today. So prior to this, CAF and 111 SQN was kind enough to fly me and show me the capabilities. And I think we can be justifiably proud, and confident, and assured of this early warning platform. It replaces the E-2C Hawkeye which had served us well for over 20 years. But the G550 can fly higher, faster, longer and see further than the E-2C Hawkeye. The G550-AEW together with the RSAF's fighter squadrons and groundbased 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.

Our pilots, air warfare officers and logistics crew from 111 Squadron began training on the G550-AEW in early 2009 with the arrival of the first aircraft. Building upon its earlier knowledge and experience of operating the E-2C Hawkeye, as well as a strong Squadron tradition, the men and women of 111 Squadron - "Jaegers" - as they call themselves, have worked tirelessly to optimise the G550-AEW to fully support the SAF's mission. 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. So, as I told you, prior to this ceremony, we took a flight out, and they were showing me some capabilities. As always with most defence ministers, they want to stretch the envelope. So I told the AWO, "can you see ships on the South China Sea?" So they re-set it and re-tuned it, and lo and behold, literally hundreds of objects popped up. It shows our capabilities, and it shows that we have a sophisticated platform that allows us comfort, and makes up for our lack of strategic space.

I would also like to take the opportunity to commend our defence engineers and scientists in DSTA and DSO National Laboratories for conceptualising, developing and delivering a state-of-the-art AEW platform to the RSAF. This project called for mindsets to be shifted; for boldness; for innovativeness to bring together both operational and technological expertise which has now ensured that our Air Force is equipped with the best that AEW technology has to offer thus far. And this is not overstating. We have one of the best technologies that we have integrated together for our needs, which justifies for the amount of investments that we have put into it.

111 Squadron, to which the G550-AEWs have been assigned, has served the RSAF with distinction since 1985 when it was first established to undertake the critical mission of watching over Singapore's skies. I am confident that the "Jaegers" will continue to uphold 111 Squadron's record of vigilance and teamwork. Congratulations to all of you. Thank you.