Singapore lifts option for 8 additional F-35B vertical or short take-off and landing

In 2019, Singapore began evaluating the F-35 to replace part of its 60 F-16 C/D, in the face of rising regional tensions, particularly with China. A year later, the small country ordered 4 F-35B, the short or vertical takeoff and landing version of the Lockeed-Martin aircraft for $2,75 billion, as well as an option for 8 additional aircraft, and all the services and infrastructure to implement this force . Today, and without much surprise, it has exercised the option on the 8 remaining aircraft, so as to bring its fleet to 12 fighters. According to information provided by the authorities, deliveries should take place by the end of the decade, so that the squadron will be fully operational at the start of the next decade, allowing the withdrawal of the F-16s that they must replace.

The Singaporean order is interesting in more than one way. First of all, it is the only country to have ordered version B with vertical or short take-off and landing, without it being planned that they will operate from an aircraft carrier. Beyond the US Marine Corps, the F-35B has in fact been ordered by Japan, Italy and Great Britain, to serve aboard the Izumo, Trieste and Queen Elizabeth class aircraft carriers, and will be probably by Spain to replace the AV-8Bs serving aboard the Juan Carlos. Turkey had also planned to acquire F-35Bs to serve aboard the Anadulu-class aircraft carrier, before being excluded from the program following the entry into service of an S-400 anti-aircraft battery ordered from Moscow.

In the case of Singapore, it is the country itself, which is only 728 km2, which acts as an aircraft carrier. Indeed, although it has 3 air bases, it has no strategic depth allowing it, if necessary, to deploy reserve forces beyond potential preventive strikes from the adversary. In other words, even if its armed forces are substantial, with 72.000 soldiers and 1,2 million reservists, around a hundred F15 and F16 combat planes, but also 180 combat tanks. Leopard 2, 300 infantry fighting vehicles, more than 1200 armored personnel carriers, 70 self-propelled artillery systems including 24 M142 Himars rocket launchers, as well as 90 helicopters including 17 AH64 Apaches and 15 CH47 Chinooks, or even 4 attack submarines, 6 frigates, 6 corvettes and 4 assault ships, he knows he is vulnerable to massive preventive strikes. This is precisely where the F-35B, probably the most advanced version of the Lockheed-Martin plane, offers capabilities that no other device is currently able to provide.

75% of this article remains to read,
Subscribe to access it!

The Classic subscriptions provide access to
articles in their full version, and without advertising,
from 6,90 €.

Newsletter subscription