SG Plans for F-35 Stealth Jet Fighters

grandmaster89 SG

(WASHINGTON) Singapore has shown interest in possibly buying up to 100 of Lockheed Martin Corp's F-35 Joint Strike Fighter aircraft over coming decades, matching Israel's tentative plans, the general in charge of the programme for the Pentagon said on Monday.

Separately, the eight countries that have joined the US to co-develop the plane appear to be largely sticking to their plans to buy some 730 of their own, said Air Force Maj Gen Charles Davis, the Pentagon's programme chief.

'The Israelis have said they'd take up to 100 aircraft,' he said. 'The Singaporeans have said basically the same thing.' Embassy spokesmen of the two countries had no immediate comment.

(Continued at the link)

http://www.businesstimes.com.sg/sub/shippingtimes/story/0,4574,286971,00.html?

M'SIA NOT THREATENED BY S'PORE'S PURCHASE OF JETFIGHTERS - AIR FORCE CHIEF

PETALING JAYA, July 9 (Bernama) -- Malaysia does not feel threatened by its neighbour's plan to purchase new and modern fighter jets, Air Force Chief General Tan Sri Azizan Ariffin said

"I'm not surprise with the report. This is a competition to acquire modern and sophisticated assets," he said.

He was asked to comment on newsreports that Singapore was planning to buy up to 100 units of the world's most advanced fighter jet, the supersonic F-35, which uses stealth technology to avoid radar detection.

Speaking to reporters after the air force's service excellence award presentation here, he said Malaysia was not lagging behind in terms of military assets.

"We have the Sukhoi fighter jets and other sophisticated assets," he said.

http://malaysia.news.yahoo.com/bnm/20080709/tts-air-force-threat-bm-993ba14.html

niffoc SG

but will we be getting the normal version or the nerf version

Ariedartin SG

No nerfing. F-35 is part of an international JSF program and had international participation throughout its development. We get the same product, but less expertise since we weren't the ones building and testing it.

Singapore did say we could procure up to 100 units, but remember it's just an upper limit. We only have 22 F-16 interceptors and 45 F-5s that could be replaced for the interceptor role by the F-35A (the other variants are designed to be carrier-based.). Then again, this being a multi-role fighter, the RSAF might have more in store for the aircraft.

In any case, it means more pilot vocations available in the future.

Rejected SG

off track a bit, how many Pilots do we have?

Rejected SG

double post.

eurofighter SG

you're understating our official number of F-16s by almost 3 times.

In any case, it means more pilot vocations available in the future.

bloodsucker SG

In any case, it means more pilot vocations available in the future.

Hey, Jeremy right?? aircadet here :) U signed up for pilot yet?

^Delta^ SG

In any case, it means more pilot vocations available in the future.

Officially we have procured 62 F-16C/D fighters from 1998-2004. These are true multirole fighters fully capable of ground attack / strike and not limited to a pure interceptor role. Earlier F-16A/Bs procured in the 1980s have already been withdrawn from the inventory and passed on to Thailand. Perhaps you took into account only the last batch of F-16s bought in 2004 under Peace Carvin IV which numbered 20 warplanes in total.

Regarding the F-5 the number you quoted is closer. The RSAF officially possesses 53 of these upgraded to F-5S/T standard.

All open domain information so no worries.

eac SG

we do have overseas attachments in other allied countries' bases.

SG will not put all our military assets on this island alone... using same theory as investment.

niffoc SG

Maybe order 100units is deliver over a period of decades to replace the old F35 with new F35 after been in use for sometime. Plane wear and tear is fast. or out of the 100 maybe 30 unit as spared?

Ariedartin SG

you're understating our official number of F-16s by almost 3 times.

I understate not the number of F-16s in the interceptor role. The others are strike aircraft, which may or may not be slated for replacement by the F-35As.

Well, of course, this being taken from Wikipedia, one must give room for doubt as to how up-to-date it is.

Ariedartin SG

Hey, Jeremy right?? aircadet here :) U signed up for pilot yet?

Nosiree. I'm PES C9L2. Out of the question. Maybe I'll do the paperwork for the high-fliers.

Ariedartin SG

Maybe order 100units is deliver over a period of decades to replace the old F35 with new F35 after been in use for sometime. Plane wear and tear is fast. or out of the 100 maybe 30 unit as spared?

Keeping 30 units in reserve is still costly as they still require maintenance, and they will be utterly in case of a war as there will not be any pilots assigned to fly them. No air force in the world pursues such a policy of buying extra as replacement - good maintenance means not having to replace aircraft, which is a highly costly prospect.