Hey guys, we seem to dwell on the point which aircraft,
technologies, etc... but in actual fact, I can see Singapore only
wanting to spend not excessively to purchase, what is essentially,
a stop-gap next gen fighter until F-35 comes off the production
line.
Why I think F16 Block 59/60 has got the greatest chance of winning
is because:
1. It has common parts to our current fleet of Vipers.
2. I suspect LM is going to give Singapore some sweetener that
Singapore simply cannot refuse (think along the line what Dassault
is proposing and you will know what I mean 
)
3. LM might also use F35 as an incentive for the Vipers
purchase.
4. AESA is already on Block 60, plus all the FLIR mounted on the
aircraft, CFT, etc. F-16 will nearly be on par with the Eurocanards
in avionics technologies.
5. Perhaps a promise to deliver AIM-120Cs with the purchase,
perhaps JDAMs, Slammer-ER, etc.
6. Bush's "Singapore is a good-friend" when PM Goh signed the
free-trade agreement.
7. ST Aero gets some really sweet parts to play - technology
transfers????
8. More access to US bases? more hush hush stuff US is willing
to
provide Singapore to fight "terrorists".
etc.
All in all, as I have previously posted the question, is the "War
on terror" and being part of the "coalition of the willing" going
to change the outcome of this competition? My guess is, either LM
or Boeing is going to win. Sorry EDAS, Dassault. Good try, good
product, maybe next time
