PAUL LEWIS / WASHINGTON DC
Singapore's decision to join the Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighter (JSF) development programme as a security co-operation participant (SCP) is raising concerns among rival manufacturers that it will overshadow the competitive selection in the near-term of a replacement for the air force's McDonnell Douglas A-4SU Skyhawks by 2007.
Singapore becomes the 11th nation and first from the Asia-Pacific region to commit to the JSF. It has earmarked $50 million, which provides access to data, modelling and country-unique system studies, but does not give programme office representation.
While the agreement to join the system development and demonstration (SDD) phase does not commit Singapore to ordering the F-35, its defence ministry acknowledges "JSF is a potential candidate to meet the Republic of Singapore Air Force's longer-term operational requirements for a multirole fighter". This concerns some companies expecting to bid for Singapore's 18-24 aircraft A-4SU replacement programme.
Observers say Lockheed Martin's hopes of selling Singapore additional F-16C/D Block 52s would be boosted if the nation were to defer a decision on adding another new aircraft before the F-35 is ready. Singapore already operates 49F-16s and will begin taking delivery of another 20 Block 52s from December.
JSF has already undermined fighter competitions in Australia and the Netherlands, which have both joined SDD. Singapore's long-term goal is to reduce the number of different fighters in the air force's fleet from the current F-16, A-4SU and upgraded Northrop Grumman F-5S/T to just two types.
Rival manufacturers are pinning their hopes on Singapore needing a more modern air superiority fighter and the F-35 being unavailable for export before 2015.
Contenders include the Boeing F-15Tand F/A-18E/F Super Hornet, Dassault Rafale, Eurofighter Typhoon, F-16C/D Block 60 and Sukhoi Su-35. Singapore is expected to shortlist two to three aircraft in May before issuing a request for proposals and making a final fighter selection in February next year.
Source: Flight International
