I would not give much credence to an article that has made a
couple of glaring and basic errors. Singapore`s CAF would not be
making those mistakes. That makes me wonder if he added his own
ideas. Who is the writer anyway? Have not heard about him
previously. Maybe not.
If you recall, Singapore has already expressed a need for (up to)80
frames in total about 3 years ago in an interview with Janes. The
new jets are meant to replace the super Skyhawks and F-5E(partially
or as a whole). Of course, the latter is dependant on the status of
the F-35 project. What that means is that Singapore is prepared to
purchase a lot of air-crafts to replace both the sky-hawks and
F-5Es.
Come on, the only reason Singapore buys in small batches is because
of the sensitivity; internally and externally. Remember when we
bought 70 F-16s in stages. If SIA can splurge billions at one go to
buy dozens of new planes, you would not think that Singapore Inc
will be in a hard position to buy fighter jets that cost just as
much or less.
It is pretty obvious that the F-35s will only come in the next
decade. It does not make sense to make an order now for a plane to
materialize next decade. And it does not make sense to buy a plane
as a 'stop-gap' to last a few more years that is less capable than
the F-15SGs and F-35s. I believe that RSAF`s investments in newer
F-16s are over. The future lies in the F15SGs and F-35s. And if you
look at the numbers extrapolated by the RSAF, it becomes clear that
we would, in fact, be buying more F-15SGs. I think around 40-50 in
total would be purchased eventually as shotgun has already said.
All the more so since more countries in SEA will be operating
Su-30s in our area of operations. We have to bear in mind that
Singapore will not allow other countries in our region to achieve
some sort of parity with the RSAF; numbers or capability. The only
reason that the number of frames has dipped in recent years is
because of the abysmmal condition of the MAF and Indo AF. Of
course, there is also the new China and balance of power.
Moreover, I recalled reading that the F-5Es are good till about
2013-2014. Of course, this does not mean that we should wait till
they are dropping from the skies but that says a lot about the
urgency to replace them.
And I do not think that there will be any more new competition. I
remembered Prof Lui from DSTA saying that during one of the AA. It
will just be either the F-35s or F-15SGs. And since the F-35s will
be late, it is highly likely that the new planes will be F-15SGs. I
believe that the next batch of F-15s will be purchased next year. I
think around the `newsy' period during Singapore Airshow 2007. I do
not think that the next batch is meant to replace the F-5Es but to
replace the Super skyhawks or an upgrading of capability to match
newer threats; no matter the amount of spin they put into it.
