SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) will buy eight F-35A jets, continuing its build-up of a “next-generation” force to serve the country’s security needs.
The aircraft are expected to be delivered around 2030, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said during the Ministry of Defence’s (MINDEF) budget debate in parliament on Wednesday (Feb 28).
This is on top of RSAF’s existing order of 12 F-35 jets of the “B” variant, expanding its full fleet of the fifth-generation US-made fighter aircraft to 20.
Once operational, the F-35 jets will put Singapore’s air force in the “premier league”, he said.
The purchase is timed to capitalise on a “window of opportunity”. F-35 prices are now more competitive amid a healthy order pipeline for the jets globally, said Dr Ng, who did not reveal the cost of Singapore’s F-35A purchase.
Overall, MINDEF’s expenditure will hit S$20.2 billion (US$15 billion) in the 2024/2025 financial year, up 2.5 per cent from the previous year, he told parliament.
But Dr Ng pointed out that despite nominal increases in defence spending, its share as a percentage of gross domestic product has fallen because it has been outpaced by economic growth.
Around 20 years ago, Singapore was spending about 5 per cent of GDP on defence.
In the current and upcoming financial year, the defence budget has held steady at 3 per cent, even though total government spending as a percentage of GDP has risen.
MINDEF expects its spending to stay “in this range” over the next decade, barring conflicts and wars, said Dr Ng.
He added that the fall as a percentage of GDP was not because SAF cut back on what was necessary to defend Singapore, but because of sustained spending to build a strong military over the long term.
“So today, we are reaping dividends of the sums we put in steadily over the past 20 years. And if we continue to invest wisely, we will reap more dividends in the future,” he said.