Paul Lewis/SINGAPORE
SOUTH AFRICA has offered Singapore the use of its training and test sites, as part of a move to strengthen defence ties and industrial co-operation, between the two countries.
The offer was made during a five-day visit to South Africa in 1994, by Singapore defence minister Lee Boon Yang. The two nations have agreed to increase joint training, exchange information and to explore areas of defence-research co-operation.
The Singapore Ministry of Defence says that talks on the use of South African sites are still at an early stage and it would be "premature" to give any further details. Interest, however, is likely to include air force access to South African firing ranges and air-combat manoeuvring areas.
Singapore operates a large fleet of Lockheed F-16A/Bs, Northrop F-5E/Fs and McDonnell Douglas A-4s, but suffers from a lack of available air space. Its armed forces already make extensive use of training areas in Australia, Taiwan and the USA.
Source: Flight International
