{"id":26124,"date":"2020-01-09T22:02:41","date_gmt":"2020-01-09T22:02:41","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/uncategorized\/2020\/01\/09\/singapore-gets-the-green-light-to-buy-f-35s\/"},"modified":"2026-08-07T22:12:27","modified_gmt":"2026-08-07T22:12:27","slug":"singapore-gets-the-green-light-to-buy-f-35s","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/one.sightlinemg.com\/defensenews\/air\/2020\/01\/09\/singapore-gets-the-green-light-to-buy-f-35s\/","title":{"rendered":"Singapore gets the green light to buy F-35s"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

WASHINGTON \u2014 The U.S. government on Thursday formally approved Singapore<\/a> to become the next customer of the F-35 Joint Strike Fighter<\/a>, paving the way for a future sale.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Last year, Singaporean Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen announced that the country would submit a letter of request<\/a> to the U.S. government to purchase four F-35B short takeoff and landing jets, with the intention of a total of 12 “B” models.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The U.S. State Department endorsement made Jan. 9 would allow Singapore to move ahead with purchasing those jets, at an estimated cost of $2.75 billion, according to the Defense Security Cooperation Agency.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Also included in the proposed deal are up to 13 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines, unspecified electronic warfare and communications systems, training equipment, and the Autonomic Logistics Information System used for mission planning, maintenance and other logistics functions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States. Singapore is a strategic friend and Major Security Cooperation Partner and an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia Pacific region,\u201d DSCA stated in a release.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cThis proposed sale of F-35s will augment Singapore’s operational aircraft inventory and enhance its air-to-air and air-to-ground self-defense capability, adding to an effective deterrence to defend its borders and contribute to coalition operations with other allied and partner forces.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Singapore typically buys its fighter aircraft in small batches. If the country moves forward with buying the F-35, it will likely use those jets to begin replacing its fleet of 60 Lockheed Martin F-16C\/D Block 52\/52+ fighters, and further F-35 orders would be expected.<\/p>\n\n\n\t