Defence is a long-term business. For the SAF, major systems and platforms take 10 to 15 years to conceptualise, build and integrate into our fighting force. We must remind ourselves that investing steadily in defence is a more prudent and cost-effective strategy, especially during good times and peace.
New Assets and Capabilities
In the next decade, more platforms and capabilities will be added as we build the SAF for 2040 and beyond. These include:
- Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF): Eight more F-35Bs to be acquired and added to the fleet by the end of the decade, in addition to the four already purchased.
- Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN): Four Invincible-class submarines being operational around Singapore waters by the end of this decade. The RSN's first submarine, the Invincible, is expected to return to Singapore later this year after completing sea trials. The second and third submarines – the Impeccable and the Illustrious –were launched in Kiel in December 2022.
- Singapore Army: Introduction of the next-generation Howitzer and Armoured Tracked Carrier, as well as more unmanned aerial and ground vehicles in combat units.
- Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS): Completion of the SAF digital range in 2026; as well as set up of the Digital Ops-Tech Centre, which will be operational in 2024.
Check out this video to learn more,
F-35 Joint Strike Fighters
- The purchase of the RSAF's first four F-35 Joint Strike Fighters allowed access to information and facilities for a full evaluation of the F-35s, together with an option to purchase more. Our RSAF pilots have flown in F-35 mission simulators, learnt from operational F-35 instructors pilots, and flown with other F-35 operators on numerous occasions – in particular, during Exercise Pitch Black last year in Darwin, Australia.
- MINDEF and the SAF have concluded that the F-35 is the best choice to meet our defence needs now and in the future. We will exercise the option to acquire a second tranche of eight F-35Bs to be added to our fleet by the end of the decade. The acquisition will support the progressive drawdown of our ageing F-16s, which are due to retire from the mid-2030s onwards.
Digital and Intelligence Capabilities
- The SAF digital range will contain virtual replicas of networks and systems, to simulate a wider range of cyber-attacks. When completed in 2026, it will be used to train DIS forces, conduct exercises with other military and commercial partners, as well as organise joint training with other national agencies to strengthen cyber defences of our national critical infrastructure.
- The DIS will set up the Digital Ops-Tech Centre run by software engineers and data scientists to provide in-house software development for the SAF. This Centre will be operational in 2024.
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