Eight United States (US) Pacific Air Forces' (PACAF) F-35A fighter jets will be in Singapore from 1 to 7 March 2024 for a stopover before deploying to Korat, Thailand, for the trilateral Exercise Cope Tiger 2024, alongside the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and the Royal Thai Air Force. During the stopover, the F-35As will conduct Dissimilar Air Combat Training (DACT) with the RSAF's F-15SG aircraft, and air-to-air refuelling training with the RSAF's A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport. The training will be conducted in the southern reaches of the South China Sea, within international airspace.

The bilateral training provides a valuable opportunity for the RSAF personnel to train alongside the PACAF's F-35A aircrew and ground crew, and learn from other experienced F-35 operators to support our own F-35 acquisition and operationalisation journey. This combined training also underscores the excellent and long-standing defence relations between Singapore and the US.

The RSAF facilitates aircraft stopovers and bilateral training with air forces from various countries. The RSAF has also regularly conducted DACTs with different air forces to benchmark, train and conduct professional exchanges.