It's a small island republic with no indigenous natural resources, but Singapore has been a long-time economic winner, even by the standards of the pre-crash Pacific rim. Singapore's economy was one of the least affected in the region by the financial crash which floored many of Asia's other "tiger economies". Analysts attribute this to the 3 million population's high level of savings, combined with the government's strict fiscal discipline, which has led to an earlier and more robust recovery than expected. The city state maintains a distinct identity in South-East Asia, going its own way politically and economically.
And it takes its independence seriously. Singaporeans are all too aware of the ease with which the island was overrun in 1942 by Japan. Remembering this - and understanding the need for stability to keep foreign trade and investment flowing in - has led the government to place a high priority on developing the country's defence forces. The defence budget is capped at a relatively high 6% of gross domestic product (GDP). From official statistics, government spending on security (including national and civil defence, and policing)stood at S$6.7 billion ($4 billion) in 1997. Despite the fact that GDP growth effectively stalled the following year, security spending rose to S$7.19 billion - perhaps more as a result of civil concerns than military ones. GDP growth estimates have risen to 5-6% this year. Throughout this period, Singapore has continued to pursue some key defence procurement programmes, with more to come. Not least of these could be some major procurements in the next few years for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
The RSAF was formed to assume the responsibilities of the UK Royal Air Force, which withdrew from the former colony in 1971.
The first operational RSAF fighter squadron, founded in 1970, comprised 16 Hawker Hunters. There was also a helicopter squadron of eight Aerospatiale Alouettes, and a jet training squadron with BAC167 Strikemasters.
Today, the RSAF's front-line fighter fleet includes Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds, upgraded Northrop Grumman F-5S/T Tiger IIs, and McDonnell Douglas A-4SU Super Skyhawks. These are the primary tools with which the RSAF fulfils its role of defending Singapore's skies, and supporting land and sea forces.
According to Maj Gen Raymund Ng, chief of the RSAF (left), this role has expanded. He says: "Over and above [the defensive role], in recent years we have tried to contribute to Singapore's role in the international community." Four Singaporean Eurocopter AS332 Super Pumas participated in a 1993 United Nations peacekeeping mission to Cambodia, and the RSAF has also helped with peacekeeping in the Gulf as part of the United Nations Iraq-Kuwait Observer Mission (UNIKOM). Furthermore, the air force has taken on disaster relief missions, such as the 1990 operation in earthquake-hit Baguio in the Philippines. Gen Ng says that Singapore intends to continue to play a part in such missions, within the boundaries of its limited resources.
Air defence remains the primary role, however, fulfilled by seven fighter squadrons based in Singapore, and supported by training units abroad. The RSAF's two fighter bases are Tengah and the former civil international airport at Paya Lebar. Tengah is home to the F-16-equipped 140 Sqn, as well as to 142, 143 and 145 Sqns which all fly Skyhawks. Also based there is 111 Sqn, which operates the RSAF's four Northrop Grumman E-2C Hawkeye airborne early warning aircraft. Paya Lebar is the home base of the RSAF's F-5 squadrons, numbers 141, 144 and 149.
Singapore's first F-16s arrived in 1988. Of the original eight, two F-16As and five two-seat F-16Bs remain following the loss of one aircraft. All of these have been put through the "Falcon-Up" structural reinforcement programme, carried out for the RSAF by Singapore Technologies Aerospace (ST Aero). The air force took delivery last year of its first of two F-16C/D Block 52 aircraft batches.
The RSAF now has 18 F-16Cs and 12 F-16Ds, having ordered, respectively, 22 and 20. It has been noted by defence analysts that the Singaporean -Ds feature the enlarged spine, first seen on Israeli air force aircraft, thought to house additional avionics.
Some of Singapore's F-16s are based in the USA at Luke and Cannon AFBs. Gen Ng says that aircraft numbers are "still being built up", although, eventually, 12 F-16s will be assigned to each base. These US detachments exist "simply because, with limited airspace [over Singapore], the opportunities for high-end training are limited", says Gen Ng. He adds that the US units also get the opportunity to train with the US Air Force, as well as using its facilities such as weapons ranges.
The other two Singaporean fighter types - the F-5S/T and the Super Skyhawk - are the results of domestic upgrades. The recent ST Aero F-5 upgrade fitted the original F-5E/F with a Fiar Grifo radar, a head-up display, multifunction displays and new navigation equipment. The first F-5S/Ts became operational with 144 Sqn in January last year. Work has been completed on all 42 RSAF aircraft, and on an a further six RF-5S reconnaissance aircraft.
The earlier Super Skyhawk upgrade programme was completed between 1986 and 1989, and included replacing the aircraft's powerplant with the General Electric F404, and the installation of a new cockpit and avionics. This revitalised the aircraft, which entered service with 142 Sqn in 1974. One Skyhawk advanced training unit -150 Sqn of the RSAF's Flight Training School, equipped with two-seat TA-4SUs - has been based at Cazaux in France. In all, the RSAF says, it operates 70 A/TA-4SUs.
Gen Ng says that the A-4s and F-5s could remain in operational service for a further 10-15 years after upgrade. Singapore has issued requests for information to Dassault (for the Rafale), Eurofighter (the Typhoon) and Lockheed Martin (the F-16 Block 60), as the start of a replacement programme for these older types. Singapore is also a low-level member, on a "fee for service" basis, of the US Joint Strike Fighter programme. But estimates vary widely of when a new fighter type could be selected.
According to industry sources, theF-5s are indeed likely to stay in service up to 2010 and possibly beyond, but the RSAF could begin retiring single seat A-4s as early as 2003. The sources say that this leaves a short term gap, with one possible filler solution being a secondhand F-16A/B buy.
The sources suggest that a request for proposals on a new generation fighter procurement beyond the F-16s could be issued in early 2001, for an aircraft which could enter service about 2005.
While some defence analysts suggest Singapore's AAM armoury includes other types, Gen Ng insists that only Raytheon AIM-9PSidewinder short-range infrared homing missiles, and AIM-7 Sparrow medium-range radar-guided missiles are being fielded. Gen Ng is cautious about commenting on Singaporean interest in the AIM-120 AMRAAM. He says that the RSAF is "always on the look-out for new capabilities", but qualifies this by saying: "These things have to be taken into account in the context of what kind of threat you have and what kind of battles you will fight."
One of the RSAF's most recent procurements has been an order for four BoeingKC-135R Stratotankers, the first of which was delivered on 10 September. These aircraft will complement air-to-air refuelling capabilities provided by the RSAF's 10 Lockheed Martin KC-130B/H Hercules tanker transports, in service with 122 Sqn at Paya Lebar. In the longer term, says Gen Ng, the air force is looking at a transport aircraft procurement to replace the C/KC-130Bs "in the next decade". Types under consideration include the C-130J.
The KC-135Rs are modified KC-135As, fitted with new CFM International CFM56s. There has also been a cockpit and avionics upgrade. The aircraft will remain based at McConnell AFB in the USA, although one is understood to be due for transfer to Singapore next year.
The RSAF's helicopter squadrons are based at Sembawang. They include 120 Sqn, operating the air force's 27 Bell UH-1B/H Iroquois helicopters as well as eight Bell 205s; 123 and 124 Sqns, which fly 20 Eurocopter AS550C-2/A-2 Fennecs; 125 Sqn, which flies Eurocopter AS332M/UL Super Pumas in the transport and search and rescue roles; and 127 Sqn, which flies Boeing CH-47D Chinooks.
The RSAF has a training detachment of 12 Super Pumas belonging to 126 Sqn, based at Oakley, Australia, and CH-47s stationed at Grand Prairie AFB in the USA, and there is a UH-1 detachment in Brunei. Eight CH-47SD "Super Ds" are on order.
This year, the RSAF has ordered eight Boeing AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, with an additional 12 options. These helicopters are to be delivered from 2002 and will come with Hellfire missiles and Hydra unguided rockets. They will not, however, be equipped with Longbow radars. There is also a requirement in Singapore for six to 12 naval helicopters to equip the navy's new corvettes. It is understood that this could be linked to a replacement programme for the RSAF's long-serving UH-1s.
According to Gen Ng, the RSAF is interested in a possible longer-term tiltrotor procurement, although, until the technology becomes fully mature, this remains an expensive alternative to conventional helicopters.
Pilot screening for the RSAF has recently been outsourced to British Aerospace Flight Training Australia (BAe FTA) under a three-year, A$5 million ($3.2 million), contract. It is understood that 13 RSAF instructors are to be based at Tamworth, UK, under the deal. Flight training will be carried out using BAe FTA-owned Pacific Aerospace CT-4Bs.
The RSAF operates 20 Siai-Marchetti SF260M/Ws for screening, and has 29 Siai-Marchetti S211 jet trainers based at Pearce in Australia. "The S211s are serving us well at the moment," says Gen Ng, adding that no replacement is foreseen in the near future.
Source: Flight International
