Singapore leaves door open to F-35 variants
USMC F-35Bs refuel from an RSAF A330 MRTT during Exercise Pitch Black 2022. (Australian Department of Defence)
Singapore is evaluating other variants of the F-35 in additional to the STOVL variant it has on order.
While Singapore has placed a firm order for the short take-off and vertical landing F-35B fighter, it is continuing its evaluation and will not rule out ordering another variant.
This is according to Maj Zhang Jianwei, who heads the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) Next-Generation Fighter Project Office, speaking to media on the sidelines of Exercise Pitch Black in September:
‘While our rigorous evaluation process has identified F-35B as the most suitable replacement for the F-16, we will continue our rigorous evaluation and make further decisions when we are ready.’
Singapore signed a letter of offer and acceptance for four F-35Bs
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?]()
What might next-generation military aircrew training look like?
Changing roles for combat aircraft fleets, the rise of simulation and LVC technologies, and the increasing cost of flight hours could all be leading to a paradigm shift in military pilot training.
-
![2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate]()
2025 air market review: European defence independence, next-gen tech and export concerns dominate
This year’s (geo)political turmoil has challenged many long-prevailing assumptions, leading to far-reaching consequences for air forces and their supplier bases in industry worldwide – with five key trends in review for 2025.
-
![Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order]()
Leonardo signs contract on Austria’s M-346 aircraft order
The first of the 12 M-346 aircraft are expected to be delivered to the Austrian Air Force by 2028, according to the company.
