This is a discussion on Republic of Singapore Air Force Discussions within the Air Force & Aviation forum, part of the Global Defense & Military category; Originally Posted by ADMk2
IIRC, the A-4SU's have already been repaced in frontline service by the F-15SG's and the training ...
IIRC, the A-4SU's have already been repaced in frontline service by the F-15SG's and the training aircraft along with the S-211's are to be replaced by Aermacchi M-346's.
AFAIK the A-4SU's have been removed from service, but about 40 are in storage. Presumably this means that if some event required the RSAF to rapidly obtain additional aircraft, the A-4SU 'Super' Skyhawks could be brought back into service. I also think there might still be some TA-4 Skyhawks performing some training duties in France, but these might also have been stored/removed pending the entry of the M-346's into service.
-Cheers
________________
"I'm doing the same thing I do every night, Pinky..." comment from one lab mouse to another.
I believe in around the year 2007, there was a deal between Singapore and India to allow RSAF to train on a regular basis at Kalaikunda Airforce Station, West Bengal, India for a period of 5 years. I haven't heard much of any RSAF activity in India post 2007. Does anyone have an idea about any (rumored) DACT's that might have happened there post 2007 ? or is it too hush hush ?
I believe in around the year 2007, there was a deal between Singapore and India to allow RSAF to train on a regular basis at Kalaikunda Airforce Station, West Bengal, India for a period of 5 years. Singapore ‘leases’ IAF base for 5 yrs
Does anyone have an idea about any (rumored) DACT's that might have happened there post 2007 ? or is it too hush hush ?
We have a sticky on DACT and I strongly recommend that you read the DACT link provided, as Indian press reporting about DACTs is often overly excited.
Singapore by the way also maintains a number of long term detachments in CONUS and this information has been posted in DT before.
Quote:
Originally Posted by OPSSG
The F-15SGs that have been delivered are currently at Mountain Home Air Force Base in the US and Singapore's Strike Eagle training detachment operates under the banner of the 428th Fighter Squadron (see post #37 in another DT thread). We also have a F-16 training detachment in Luke Air Force Base in the US that operates under the banner of the 425th Fighter Squadron (see post #15 in another DT thread). The US based F-16 training program began in 1988 and post #15 referred to has more details if you are interested.
Today, the RSAF also trains under US Army Aviation with a Peace Vanguard Apache Helicopter detachment at Marana, Arizona, as well as a Peace Prairie Chinook detachment in Grand Prairie, Texas. BTW, RSAF's Peace Prairie Chinooks flew more than 80 sorties and transported over 800 evacuees and security personnel after Hurricane Katrina in Aug 2005.
Further, we have a Peace Triton naval helicopter detachment being trained by the USN Maritime Strike Weapons School in San Diego (see post #39 in another DT thread). The RSAF and the RSN had subscribed to the USN's SH-60F Aircraft Qualification Course. And a Formidable Class frigate, the RSS Stalwart is there with a total of 152 aircrew and ship crew for ship-helicopter integration training.
By way of background, Singapore has a much smaller air force and is seen as tertiary capable since 1987, while India's air force is much larger but also developing tertiary capabilities with India's induction of refuelers and AWACs. And it's quite common for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to take part in overseas large force employment DACT exercises, including multi-national exercises such as Red Flag (US), Pitch Black (Australia), Cope Tiger (Thailand) and Garuda (France) to name a few.
Quote:
Nellis AFB Red Flag Schedule for fiscal year 2010:
Units participating in Red Flag exercises are subject to change.
Red Flag Participating Flying Units
19-30 July
Red Air
65 AGRS, Nellis AFB, Nev., (F-16)
64 AGRS, Nellis AFB, Nev., (F-15)
Thank you. This exercise completely escaped my attention. (to be precise, this is what i was looking for)
Quote:
We have a sticky on DACT and I strongly recommend that you read the DACT link provided, as Indian press reporting about DACTs is often overly excited.
Thank you OPSSG, fortunately that was one of the first articles i read as a lurker. I wasn't really looking for chest thumping articles, but was rather surprised by the lack of IAF-RSAF DACT's since 2007, as RSAF spent a lot of money to gain access to Kalaikunda station.
Any upcoming exercises in 2011-12 before the deal expires ? (If that kind of info is in public domain)
Thank you OPSSG, fortunately that was one of the first articles i read as a lurker. I wasn't really looking for chest thumping articles, but was rather surprised by the lack of IAF-RSAF DACT's since 2007, as RSAF spent a lot of money to gain access to Kalaikunda station.
A lot is a relative concept (we have to spend what we have to spend to make training realistic and meaningful). In terms of basing, the RSAF spends quite a bit more on CONUS and Australia, than India. Having said that the RSAF detechments abroad typically have much longer leases with the host country (often 20 to 25 years).
Quote:
Originally Posted by Twinblade
Any upcoming exercises in 2011-12 before the deal expires ? (If that kind of info is in public domain)
Singapore's Mindef typically publicises exercises after they take place and not before. Btw, SINDEX typically takes place in the 4th Q of the year. There are some nice pixs of French Armée de l’Air (or FAF), the Indian Air Force (IAF) and the RSAF at Ex Garuda 2010 by Rob Hendriks, who is a member of our forum.
KEY FACTS - RSAF sharpens operational edge in exercise with French and Indian Air Forces
- 1st trilateral exercise between RSAF, FAF and IAF
- 11,500km Journey
- Last leg from Qatar to France: longest flight undertaken by RSAF aircraft at a stretch
- Last leg lasted 7+ hours
- 2 KC-135R tanker aircraft performed AAR for the 6 F-16D Blk 52+
It was announced that RSAF had issued RFI for 6 MRTT.
Looking forward for more details derived from this RFI and other developments such as new long range MPA, long range tactical transport, ATBM land based air defense system to replace I.HAWKS, possible procurement for more F-15SG, replacement for AS332M Super Puma MLH and others.
Q. How do you see the F-35 factoring into your modernization plans?
A. We are characterized as a security cooperative partner. We’re still evaluating it. We won’t be seen as a major procurer. We have modest defense needs, relatively. We have now F-15 and F-16 fleets, which are quite current and meet our capability. F-35s are obviously being seriously evaluated, but we haven’t finished the evaluation.
Q. How far off is that decision?
A. Fifth-generation aircraft always have to be seriously considered because of their significant capabilities. We have a number [of] parameters that need to be met before we finish our evaluation. We’re just taking our time with it
Looking at what Singapore got already, "modest" is not the first word that comes to mind...
I was laughing when I saw your quote. BTW, the former Chief of Air Force said Singapore had a small air force (with 5 fighter squadrons). In Singapore speak S$600,000 is peanuts and we have a small air force with modest defence needs to achieve its stated mission. hahaha
________________
“Terrorism is the tactic of demanding the impossible, and demanding it at gunpoint.”
Christopher Hitchens
Last edited by OPSSG; April 13th, 2012 at 12:32 AM.
