Permanent Secretaries,

Chief of Defence Force,

Service Chiefs,

Distinguished guests,

Ladies and gentlemen,

INTRODUCTION

I am happy to join all of you at today's FOC ceremony for the RSAF's H225M and CH-47F helicopters. These two platforms demonstrate the SAF's continued modernisation efforts. We buy what we need and what we can afford to defend Singapore. This principle of buying what we need and what we can afford extends beyond our capital acquisitions. We applied as well to the life cycle of every platform we procure, and we adopt this approach not just in terms of how we manage finances, but also our manpower, whether it is for maintenance or operational personnel. And I think that explains, in large measure, why the SAF's platforms serviceability is very high. So, when you look at our records – Boxing Day Tsunami – it is not as if we could plan it. But at a press of a button, we were activated for HADR. Recently, for our C-130 airdrops, within a couple of days, the MRTT and C-130 were all loaded up and ready for operations.

ENHANCEMENTS TO RSAF'S HELICOPTER FLEET AND CROSS-SERVICE INTEGRATION

The SAF first acquired helicopters 55 years ago. So, it has been a long journey. Indeed, we have come a long way. Our first batch were eight Alouette III helicopters. That was in 1969. It was the RSAF's first operational unit. 10 servicemen, four pilots and six technicians, were sent to France for training. Subsequently, the RSAF expanded its helicopter capabilities. Many of us would have ridden on the Super Pumas. We bought that in 1985. And for the Chinooks, the first version was the CH-47D in 1994.

Today, the H225M and the CH-47Fs will provide the SAF with an enhanced, robust, and flexible lift capability. They will strengthen the RSAF's ability to undertake a wide range of operations, including Search and Rescue operations, aeromedical evacuations, and Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. More importantly, these two new helicopter platforms will also enhance cross-service integration, allowing the RSAF to better support our Army and Navy troops in equipment lifts.

Just two months ago, during the Lunar New Year, our H225M was activated for an aeromedical evacuation. They had to fly some 120 km off the coast of Singapore and they evacuated a crew member of an oil tanker who needed urgent medical attention. In March 2022, we deployed two CH-47Fs from our Oakey Detachment to support the Australian flood relief operations. Our platforms proved to be reliable and dependable in transporting personnel and heavy emergency supplies for those in need. In all of these cases, our helicopters delivered and achieved the mission successfully.

As part of today's ceremony, the RSAF flew me on the H225M. They showed me the avionics and flight controls which were very intuitive. I hovered like you saw just now - the guy with many years of training. I was very proud of myself until they said "You can do this automated too," and they switched on the autopilot. I think it is smoother than our previous platforms, and particularly useful for search and rescue or hovering for operations in complex environments. And that confidence in our equipment has shown through the H225M search and rescue helicopter, the red and white one, which has already been operating for three years.

Our people are confident that the new avionics, the flight control systems, and the electronic protections suites, have increased survivability and functionality. And I think that it is an important assurance to have, to give our people the best kind of equipment, so that they can fulfil their missions.

QUALITY AND COMMITMENT OF OUR PEOPLE

So I want to commend the Ops-Logs and Ops-Tech partnership between Helicopter Group, 6 Air Engineering and Logistics Group, and the Defence Technology Community in operationalising not one, but two platforms, both technologically-advanced within a few short years.

Well done to the airmen and women who have worked hard to operationalise the H225M and Chinook.

CONCLUSION

Congratulations to 125, 126 and 127 Squadron, as well as Oakey Detachment for achieving the FOC of the H225M and CH-47F helicopters. Continue to serve Singapore and Singaporeans well. Thank you.