Permanent Secretaries,

Chief of Defence Force,

Chief of Air Force,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

INTRODUCTION

This year, the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) marks 55 years of defending our nation's skies. Growing from strength to strength, it has emerged from its humble beginnings to become the well-respected force that it is today. Two months ago, I officiated the launch of the RSAF55 Open House at Paya Lebar Air Base and witnessed how the public was there and was so very impressed by and proud of our Air Force.

These are very uncertain times. Even as the Russia-Ukraine war rages on in Europe, in the Middle East, you have the Israel-Hamas conflict that threatens to ignite a powder keg. And there are other high points of tension elsewhere in the world as well. Some not very far from here. With so much geopolitical turbulence in the world, it is imperative that Singapore takes our defence and air defence evermore seriously. This is especially so when one studies how important the control of the air is in modern and ongoing warfare. The RSAF must continue therefore to stand ready and to guard our skies.

CAPABILITIES OF THE ASTER 30

It is therefore right that the RSAF is sharpening its Air Defence capabilities to ensure that Singapore stays well-protected. Today, we mark the coming into Full Operational Capability (FOC) of the Aster 30 missile system. Stood up for 24/7 air defence since August 2020, the Aster 30 missile system prosecutes the full spectrum of missions from peacetime to war. It replaced the Improved Homing-All-the-Way-Killer system, or the I-HAWK and the I-HAWK has since been retired.

As the range of threats continue to evolve, it is important that the RSAF induct more capable systems to match. As Singapore lacks geographical depth, the use of the Aster 30 missile system is particularly apt. The system is able to intercept, at a further distance than the I-HAWK, a wider range of modern air threats, and this includes fighter aircraft, helicopters, Unmanned Aerial Vehicles, and even precision-guided munitions.

More importantly, the Aster 30 missile system works synergistically with other sensor, shooter and C2 systems in the RSAF's Island Air Defence (IAD) system to achieve a multi-layered, networked, and intelligent air defence for Singapore. By tapping on real-time integrated air situation picture and leveraging on the smart Combat Management System, the Aster 30 missile system shoots down targets further, faster and more accurately than was previously achievable.

CAPABILTIES OF PEOPLE

While advance technology is obviously important, the competence and commitment of the people that uses it is especially crucial. I therefore commend the men and women, past and present, regular, NSF and NSmen of the 163 Squadron who worked tirelessly to operationalise the Aster 30 missile system. Earlier in the brief given to me, it was emphasised to me and I fully appreciate the hard work that was put in by the officers of, the men and women of this squadron, in standing up this system and bringing it to full operational capability having particularly to overcome the challenges posed by COVID-19. So I just wanted to say a big thank you to all colleagues of the squadron over here and also the support of their families and friends.

Bringing a complex and technologically advanced system to full working order calls for tight and effective Ops-Tech team work. It is therefore also important to recognise the valuable contributions from the 9th Air Engineering and Logistics Group, the Defence Technology Community (DTC) and the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) for their superb partnership with the 163 Squadron in this joint endeavour.

CONCLUSION

The RSAF is charged with the critical mission of defending our skies. It did so valiantly every moment of this past 55 years. I have every confidence that it will live up to the trust that Singapore and Singaporeans repose in it as it builds and keeps strong for the challenging times ahead.

I congratulate 163 Squadron, the Air Defence and Operations Command, and the RSAF for achieving the FOC of the Aster 30 missile system.

Thank you.