The Airbus Helicopters H225M in service with the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has made its public debut in the Singapore Airshow static park, appearing alongside several other military assets.
Singapore received its first H225M in March 2021, following an order for the rotorcraft in 2016. The republic – which is typically tight-lipped about force numbers – has never disclosed the size of the H225M acquisition, though Cirium fleets data indicates that it ordered 12, and that four have been delivered.
The Singapore military recently showed off the type’s capabilities with a mock night-time air assault on a suburban mall, which saw commandos fast rope to the building’s roof. Subsequently they resolved a “hostage” situation in the building.
“Aimed at testing the SAF’s operational readiness and strengthening its response to a spectrum of threats, the exercise scenario required the deployed forces to respond to a simulated hostage situation and swiftly neutralise threats within an urban setting,” says Singapore’s defence ministry.
Other RSAF assets make up the bulk of the show’s military aircraft in the static park, which is relatively empty this year owing to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Manned assets on display include the Airbus Defence & Space A330 multi-role tanker transport, Boeing F-15SG, Boeing AH-64D attack helicopter, and Lockheed Martin F-16D Block 52. In addition, the display features a single Elbit Systems Hermes 450 unmanned air vehicle.
In addition, the Luftwaffe has contributed a single A400M, the Indian air force a Hindustan Aeronautics Tejas, and the US Air Force a pair of Lokcheed F-35As and a Boeing KC-46A tanker. The US Navy has also contributed a single Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft.
