The REPUBLIC OF Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has begun to study its fighter requirement beyond the Lockheed Martin F-16C/Ds now on order, with a tentative in-service date for its future combat aircraft planned for between 2005 and 2010.
Several European and US manufacturers are keen to address the RSAF's future fighter needs. France's Dassault, displaying its Rafale fighter at Asian Aerospace '96, is understood to be planning to fly the RSAF chief of staff in the aircraft after the show.
Lockheed Martin, McDonnell Douglas (MDC) and Eurofighter are also likely to brief the RSAF on their respective projects in the near future.
The replacement timeframe may be advanced by an earlier-than-expected need to replace the RSAF's Northrop F-5E/Fs and MDC A-4SUs.
A planned F-5 avionics upgrade has been extensively delayed by integration and performance problems, which are only now being resolved. The final decision on whether to conduct the upgrade is expected shortly.
The air force's A-4s, meanwhile, must undergo an extensive structural upgrade at Singapore Aerospace to extend the aircraft's operational life. The re-engined A-4s are suffering from a higher-than-expected fatigue-life useage.
The RSAF is also likely to be briefed by MDC on the F-18E/F and F-18C/D modification programme. This would effectively see the F-18E cockpit fitted in the F-18C airframe.
Senior MDC officials also see an F-18C variant as being a likely contender for any requirement from Indonesia to replace its F-16A/Bs.
Lockheed Martin's strategy in sustaining its customer base beyond the F-16 is now based upon it winning in the Pentagon's Joint Strike Technology programme.
Source: Flight International
