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The RSAF Inaugurates the M-346 into 150 Squadron

8/9/2014

RSAF officials and representatives from ST Aerospace, Boeing and Alenia Aermacchi during the first M-346 trainer's roll-out ceremony in Italy in 2012. (Photo: Alenia Aermacchi)

By: Singapore Ministry of Defence (www.mindef.gov.sg)

Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen officiated at a ceremony to inaugurate the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) new Advanced Jet Trainer, the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 aircraft, into 150 Squadron at Cazaux Air Base in France this afternoon (Singapore time).

Air Weapons: Singapore Seeks Survival Through Precision

6/8/2014

F-15E Strike Eagle ripple dropping 2000lbs GBU-31 JDAM towards targets in Afghanistan. (Photo: USAF)

By: Strategy Page (http://www.strategypage.com)

Singapore recently ordered another 963 JDAM kits. When added to an unguided bomb (228 kg/500 pound on up to 912 kg) the kit (GPS, flight computer, batteries and movable fins to guide the bomb) turns the “dumb” bomb into a smart bomb. Singapore uses JDAM on its newly acquired F-15E fighter-bombers. These were ordered in 2007 and had arrived by 2011. Back in 2008 Singapore placed its order for weapons to equip these F-15Es. The weapons list included 200 AIM-120C AMRAAM radar guided air-to-air missiles, 200 AIM-9X heat seeking air-to-air missiles, 150 JDAM kits, and 60 AIM-154 JSOW (JDAM with wings, and the ability to glide 50-130 kilometers). In addition, maintenance equipment and practice missiles are also on order.

SINGAPORE REQUEST FOR 913 JDAM KITS

7/7/2014

F-16C dropping a JDAM bomb during a high-altitude test flight. Note the typical JDAM jacket and tail section containing the guidance section. (Photo: USAF)

By: Defense Security Cooperation Agency (www.dsca.mil)

The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Singapore for Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) kits and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $63 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on July 3, 2014.

S’pore may buy large ship for use in disaster zones: Dr Ng

1/7/2014

By: Channel NewsAsia (www.channelnewsasia.com)

The Republic is considering buying a ship large enough to send more helicopters to disaster zones, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said.

Speaking to the media ahead of SAF Day on Tuesday, Dr Ng said the recent Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines underlined the need for a Joint-Multi-Mission Ship (JMMS).

Airbus Defence To Test-Fly Upgraded A330 Tanker in 2016

11/6/2014

Singapore will be the first customer for all the enhancement on the A330 MRTT. (Photo: defenseforumindia.com)

By: Andrew Chuter (www.defensenews.com)

The military aircraft arm of Airbus Defence and Security will start test-flying an enhanced version of the A330 MRTT tanker transport in the second half of 2016 and intends to adopt the new standard with the delivery of the first platform to Singapore, its latest customer.

The improvements will include upgrades to the military systems and the green A330 aircraft itself, according to Antonio Caramazana, the Airbus vice president of military derivative programs.

Chinese Threat, Disaster Relief Drive Asia-Pacific Acquisition

6/5/2014

Japan and Singapore are interested in acquiring V-22 Osprey. (Photo: fas.org)

By: Wendell Minnick (www.defenews.com)

Japan, Singapore, South Korea and Taiwan are seeking a variety of helicopters, including the V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft, to offset China’s growing maritime threat in the East China and South China seas, and to deal with other security issues, such as humanitarian and disaster relief missions.

The stronger trend in Asia appears to be toward procuring utility helicopters, but attack helicopters are also in demand.

Defence Services Asia: Export decision allows Japan to target SE Asian market

10/4/2014

With Australia already succeeded in acquiring ex-JMSDF submarines, the door may be open for Southeast asian countries to procure advanced weapon systems from Japan? (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

By: Joyce de Thouars (www.shepardmedia.com)

Japan’s removal of its arms export ban could offer up opportunities for defence sales to Southeast Asian countries, government officials have divulged.

The news follows a decision on 1 April by the Cabinet of Prime Minister Shinzo Abe to approve a plan to ease the restrictions on arms exports.

Malaysian and international armed forces fleet involved with the sar operation of mas mh370 #pray4mh370

9/3/2014

Singapore to buy Airbus refuelling tankers for air force

6/3/2014

Singapore has confirmed the acqusition of A330 MRTT to replace their ageing KC-135s. (Photo: Taringa.net)

By: Agence France Presse (www.afp.com)

Singapore said Thursday it would replace its ageing KC-135R air refuelling tankers made by US firm Boeing with Airbus's A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport (MRTT) aircraft.

Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen told parliament of the decision to acquire the MRTT, which is based on the civilian A330 plane.

Is a Light Carrier in Singapore's Future?

2/3/2014

A model of ST Engineering Marine's Endurance-160 multirole support ship reconfigured to accommodate F-35B joint strike fighters. (Photo: www.malaysiandefence.com)

By: Wendell Minnick (www.defencenews.com)

For years, Singapore’s ST Engineering Marine has been parading a ship model of a landing helicopter dock (LHD) vessel that could handle the jump-jet variant of the F-35 joint strike fighter.

The model was most recently on display at last month’s Singapore Airshow. And while Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) won’t confirm that it has plans to build such a vessel, it’s also not denying it.

Singapore announces SGD12.56 billion defence budget

26/2/2014

By: Jon Grevatt (www.janes.com)

Singapore has announced a 2014 defence budget of SGD12.56 billion (USD9.93 billion), a 3.2% increase over spending in 2013, the government said on 21 February.

Troubled Waters: Indonesia’s Growing Maritime Disputes

20/2/2014

Indonesia covers vast area between Indian Ocean and Pacific Ocean and controls many important and world major sealanes. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

By: Scott Cheney- Peters (www.thediplomat.com)

Indonesia has had a rocky couple of weeks in its relations with its neighbors. While Ted Piccone and Bimo Yusman wrote last week about Indonesia’sdecade of qualified diplomatic successes, in a series of separate and mostly unrelated naval developments the archipelagic nation has in turn aggrieved, or been aggrieved by, Singapore, Papua New Guinea, and Australia.to edit.

Alenia Aermacchi Sets Its Sights on Thai Trainer Contest

16/2/2014

M-346 is expected to face stiff competition from KAI T-50 Golden Eagle. (Photo: Wikimedia Commons)

By: Andrew Chuter (www.defensenews.com)

Thailand is the next regional target for the M-346 jet trainer maker Alenia Aermacchi, according to Giovanni Timossi, the company's vice president of sales in Asia.

A request for proposals (RfPs) for eight to 10 jet trainers is expected to be released next month, he said. No other advanced trainer RfPs are in the pipeline for the region at the moment, said Timossi.

Singapore Boosts Air Defense with MBDA Missiles and Thales Radars

16/2/2014

Aster 30 in a firing test. The system can engage hostile aircraft in ranges between 3 to 120 kilometer. (Photo: MBDA/DGA EM)

By: Chris Pocock (www.ainonline.com)

Singapore is buying Thales Raytheon Systems GroundMaster 200 radars, adding to an already-extensive ground-based air defense (GBAD) line-up of systems. A development radar, mounted on a Man 8 x 8 truck, was on display in the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) static display at the Singapore Airshow this week. The nearby RSAF pavilion contained graphics that confirmed the island state’s purchase of MBDAAster 30 air defense missiles.

BAE Takes Aim at F-15 and F/A-18 Upgrade Work

13/2/2014

F-15E in action over Afghanistan. Expected to serve until 2030, it present a huge market for upgrades. (Photo: USAF)

By: Andrew Chuter (www.defensenews.com)

With a substantial contract under its belt to upgrade South Korea’s fleet of Lockheed Martin F-16s, BAE Systems is now looking to extend its activities in the market for modifying other nations’ aircraft by looking at Boeing’s F-15 and F/A-18 jets, said executives from the US arm of the British-based company.

BAE returned to the Singapore Airshow for the first time in years, hoping that a local program to update F-16s might be thrown open to competition rather handed to aircraft builder Lockheed Martin, as looks the case right now.