Republic of Singapore Air Force Discussions

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The Bunker Group
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“After careful planning and preparations undertaken by both Australia and Singapore to minimise any potential COVID-19 risks to the Northern Territory, I am pleased we will be able to welcome the detachment from Singapore,” Minister Reynolds said.

“The arrival of the RSAF’s fighter detachment to conduct training in the Northern Territory underlines the strength of the Australia-Singapore partnership and our shared commitment to regional security.

Singapore’s military training in Australia is an important element of our Comprehensive Strategic Partnership.

It supports Singapore’s ability to generate a force that provides strategic weight and supports stability in our region.”
Thank you, Australia, for helping the RSAF at a time of need. Singapore has deployed aircraft and personnel to Australia for a two-month detachment from 7 Oct 2020 to 11 Dec 2020. Around 200 RSAF personnel - along with RSAF's F-15SGs, A330 MRTT and G550 AEW aircraft - will be stationed at Royal Australian Air Force Base Darwin during the course of the detachment.
Their timing is immaculate!
They arrive in Darwin at the commencement of the “buildup”, a hot humid time punctuated by quite violent afternoon storms called “knockemdowns” and lots of cumulonimbus cloud activity. Still I guess they will be used to the clouds.
Locals call this “Mango madness” season. It’s harvest time and the mangoes are plentiful and cheap.
The Dry season is when perfect flying conditions are experienced, little cloud and lots of vast open blue sky with no other traffic above FL10.
That’s just ended :D
 

OPSSG

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Their timing is immaculate!
They arrive in Darwin at the commencement of the “buildup”, a hot humid time punctuated by quite violent afternoon storms called “knockemdowns” and lots of cumulonimbus cloud activity.
According to a blogger, 1x C130H, 2x A330MRTT and 4x F-15SGs have landed in Darwin with a 2nd sortie to follow. See Press Release: Northern Territory to host RSAF

The 1st F-15SG landed in heavy rain.

h/t to Sid Mitchell of Aviation Spotters Online
 
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OPSSG

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Tracking RSAF’s capability growth — Part I
If they can land on an Endurance Class LPD, then landing on an LHD should be easy....
1. Deck Landing Qualifications is necessary to train air crew to safely operate from a sea base.

2. Nice video below of Singaporean CH-47 crews, permanently based at Oakey in Queensland, spent two days flying from Townsville to HMAS Adelaide at sea to undertake Deck Landing Qualifications. This included communicating with the warship’s flight control room and being guided by Australian sailors on the flight deck.

3. Minister for Defence, Senator the Hon Linda Reynolds CSC said qualifying RSAF personnel, to operate their CH-47 aircraft with the Australian Navy, was a force-multiplier for both nations.

“Last week I conducted my second official visit to Singapore, and met with my counterpart Minister for Defence, Dr Ng Eng Hen. During the visit, we jointly marked 30 years of the Singapore Armed Forces training in Australia,” Minister Reynolds said.​
 
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OPSSG

Super Moderator
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Tracking RSAF’s capability — Part II

4. Singapore’s Block 4.2, STOVL F-35Bs needs about 550 feet to take off & reduce dependence on long runways in war. Singapore’s F-35B *2 order includes a new brain for Block 4.2 jets delivered after 2023 — this includes an improved Lockheed electro-optical targeting system and a wide-area high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mode – dubbed “– Big SAR” to the Northrop Grumman APG-81 AESA Radar. In Oct 2020, Pratt & Whitney was awarded a US$1.5 million contract by the F-35 Joint Program Office to study engine upgrade requirements for Block 4.2. The engine company plans to conclude the assessment for the improvements needed for its F135 engine by March 2021. The study is focused on what is needed to improve the up and away thrust, powered lift thrust, electrical power and thermal management capacity, as well as what it would take to reduce fuel burn of the engine.

5. Back in 2015, Gen. Herbert “Hawk” Carlisle, chief of Air Combat Command said: “I think as we look to the future, the Big SAR and advanced EOTS are the things we have to have on the sensor side.” The Computing upgrade for the F-35 is called Technical Refresh 3, and it's the first major electronic and computer update for the F-35 since Block 3i testing wrapped up in 2016. Besides runway denial, sophisticated SAM systems (including VL systems on naval vessels) can deny the control of air unless these fighters have VLO characteristics.

6. The F-35B’s 7 functions for the RSAF are, as follows:

(1) to conduct aerial reconnaissance;​
(2) to conduct air warfare (both offensive & defensive counter air);​
(3) to provide air support for troops (both BAI & CAS);​
(4) to support naval air-sea integration (including anti-ship missions);​
(5) to enable high end SEAD missions;​
(6) to conduct electronic warfare; &​
(7) to represent the RSAF in the annual NDP fly pass (plus at air shows :) ).​

7. Map of F-35B operators and potential operators.

8. F-35B/C award from the DoD that includes "unique sea trials on aircraft carriers for non-DoD participants". There is some suspicion that these sea trials are for Japan, Korea or Singapore — with a firm order of 4 F-35Bs (and an option for 8 more, to be exercised later).

9. STOVL F-35B offers opportunity for operators to develop carriers, with Australia*, Japan, Singapore, Spain**, and South Korea all having expressed interest.

*Thus far, Australia has only ordered F-35As. On 23 April 2014, Australia confirmed the purchase of 58 F-35A Lightning II fighters in a US$11.5 billion deal. The 58 fighter order is the second tranche of the Air 6000 Phase 2A/2B new air combat capability.

** The Spanish Navy wants to replace its 12 Harrier jets, which are launched from the LPH Juan Carlos I. That ship’s short, ski-jump deck makes the F-35B the only option on the market, according to Cdr. Antonio Estevan, a staff officer at the service’s plans and policy division. At present, despite the interest, Spain does not have declared plans to place an order of F-35Bs.

8 F-35 supply chain partners: Australia, Canada, Denmark, Italy, Netherlands, Norway, UK and the US​
  • 6 F-35 Potential Purchasers: Canada*1 Finland, Greece, Spain, Romania, and UAE

  • 13 F-35 Operators *1 with orders placed: Israel, Japan, South Korea, Belgium, Poland and Singapore *2
*1 Canada has not formerly placed an order for its allotment of F-35As (and therefore excluded as an operator)
*2 F-35 Block 4 is also expected to include integration of country-specific weapons requested by foreign F-35 operators, including U.K.’s SPEAR and Meteor missile, Norway’s Kongsberg Joint-Strike Missile, which can strike land or sea targets
 
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Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
Tracking RSAF’s capability — Part II

4. Singapore’s Block 4.2, STOVL F-35Bs needs about 550 feet to take off & reduce dependence on long runways in war. Singapore’s F-35B *2 order includes a new brain for Block 4.2 jets delivered after 2023 — this includes an improved Lockheed electro-optical targeting system and a wide-area high-resolution synthetic aperture radar (SAR) mode – dubbed “– Big SAR” to the Northrop Grumman APG-81 AESA Radar. In Oct 2020, Pratt & Whitney was awarded a US$1.5 million contract by the F-35 Joint Program Office to study engine upgrade requirements for Block 4.2. The engine company plans to conclude the assessment for the improvements needed for its F135 engine by March 2021. The study is focused on what is needed to improve the up and away thrust, powered lift thrust, electrical power and thermal management capacity, as well as what it would take to reduce fuel burn of the engine.
...

8. F-35B/C award from the DoD that includes "unique sea trials on aircraft carriers for non-DoD participants". There is some suspicion that these sea trials are for Japan, Korea or Singapore — with a firm order of 4 F-35Bs (and an option for 8 more, to be exercised later).

9. STOVL F-35B offers opportunity for operators to develop carriers, with Australia*, Japan, Singapore, Spain**, and South Korea all having expressed interest.

*Thus far, Australia has only ordered F-35As. On 23 April 2014, Australia confirmed the purchase of 58 F-35A Lightning II fighters in a US$11.5 billion deal. The 58 fighter order is the second tranche of the Air 6000 Phase 2A/2B new air combat capability.

** The Spanish Navy wants to replace its 12 Harrier jets, which are launched from the LPH Juan Carlos I. That ship’s short, ski-jump deck makes the F-35B the only option on the market, according to Cdr. Antonio Estevan, a staff officer at the service’s plans and policy division. At present, despite the interest, Spain does not have declared plans to place an order of F-35Bs.
Australia, Japan, South-Korea and Spain already have LHDs/aircraft carriers, so the F-35B will be a logic choice.
Turkey is building the Anadolu LHD and planned to order the F-35B, but how about Singapore? Do they plan to build/order an LHD or do they plan to operate the F-35B in the "Swedish Way"?
 
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OPSSG

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The F-35 program’s varied weapons integration plans is more interesting than its planned platform advances. The USAF wants a Global Precision Attack Weapon (GPAW), that would meet an ambitious set of characteristics: small, lightweight, and affordable in numbers, yet capable against hard and deeply buried targets, and with advanced sensors and autonomy.

The US Navy’s Advanced Anti-Radiation Guided Missile-Extended Range (AARGM-ER) programme (to replace the existing anti-radiation missile) is great for supporting demanding SEAD missions; and the USAF is interested in modifying the AARGM-ER to become Stand-in Attack Weapon (SiAW). “The SiAW modifications will make the weapon relevant for fifth-generation aircraft and include the development and integration of a warhead and fuze capable of prosecuting an expanded target set, an active radar homing guidance system and a universal armament interface message set for the SiAW missile and F-35A aircraft,” says the USAF in its notice. “SiAW will also seek development of future advanced capabilities to keep it relevant for evolving threats.”
Turkey is building the Anadolu LHD and planned to order the F-35B, but how about Singapore? Do they plan to build/order an LHD or do they plan to operate the F-35B in the "Swedish Way"?
Swedish way via roads to runway. Better known locally as Exercise Torrent (as the RSAF demonstration of capability in the face of any runway denial attempt).

Turkey can kiss goodbye to F-35 program as no one in NATO can trust them.
 
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swerve

Super Moderator
Australia, Japan, South-Korea and Spain already have LHDs/aircraft carriers, so the F-35B will be a logic choice.
Turkey is building the Anadolu LHD and planned to order the F-35B, but how about Singapore? Do they plan to build/order an LHD or do they plan to operate the F-35B in the "Swedish Way"?
Japan's already ordered F-35B & is converting a helicopter carrier (no dock: faster than LHDs) into a STOVL carrier. Spain has an LHD which operates Harriers (which Spain has had for decades) & was designed with F-35B in mind. Australia has the same model of LHD, but no STOVL experience or publicly stated intention of acquiring. S. Korea has LHDs which are smaller than desirable for F-35B, but has announced plans to build a bigger STOVL carrier, I think comparable with the Japanese helicopter carriers.
 

CheeZe

Active Member
I've been trying to find information on the Hawker Hunters used by Singapore, specifically which models they acquired and upgraded as well as any publicly available specifications. I presume that once I know the models purchased, the specifications will be easier to find. If anyone can point me in the right direction or tell me the models, that'd be appreciated. Thanks
 

Stampede

Well-Known Member
Tracking RSAF’s capability — Part II

6. The F-35B’s 7 functions for the RSAF are, as follows:

(1) to conduct aerial reconnaissance;​
(2) to conduct air warfare (both offensive & defensive counter air);​
(3) to provide air support for troops (both BAI & CAS);​
(4) to support naval air-sea integration (including anti-ship missions);​
(5) to enable high end SEAD missions;​
(6) to conduct electronic warfare; &​
(7) to represent the RSAF in the annual NDP fly pass (plus at air shows :) ).​

7. Map of F-35B operators and potential operators.

8. F-35B/C award from the DoD that includes "unique sea trials on aircraft carriers for non-DoD participants". There is some suspicion that these sea trials are for Japan, Korea or Singapore — with a firm order of 4 F-35Bs (and an option for 8 more, to be exercised later).

9. STOVL F-35B offers opportunity for operators to develop carriers, with Australia*, Japan, Singapore, Spain**, and South Korea all having expressed interest.

"(7) to represent the RSAF in the annual NDP fly pass (plus at air shows :) ) "

Made my day...................Thanks


Regards S
 
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Sandhi Yudha

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OPSSG

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Interesting article.

A more capable familymember of the VL-MICA, the right choice for countries which take air defence serious and which have a bigger budget.
That’s a very incomplete picture of sensors and shooters by Jane’s; but that’s MINDEF’s fault for only reporting on RSAF missiles.
Singapore’s IADS footprint is much bigger than the land based systems on the main island, as the navy’s ships provide the coverage when they deploy 2km to 18 km away to provide additional sensors or shooters.

The MICA missiles and the rotating NS-100 AESA radar on the 8 Independence Class (Littoral Mission Vessels) provide an important 24/7 layer (to eventually replace the Barak 1 missiles on the Victory Class, to provide C-RAM coverage, especially from rocket attacks by terrorists). This S-band radar, which has a range of 107.9nm (200 km) provides 70 degrees of elevation coverage. The radar also comes equipped with Automatic Identification System (AIS) and Automatic Dependent Surveillance-Broadcast (ADS-B) interrogators.
Although MBDA hasn’t commented, EDR On-Line understands that the launch customer for the VL MICA NG is the Egyptian Navy, who will install it on board the new tkMS Meko A200-class frigate in a 32-cell VLS configuration.

The MICA NG is currently at Technical Readiness Level 7, the next major milestone being the critical design review in early 2022. Ground test firings are expected to be conducted in 2023 from the DGA Missiles Test Centre in Biscarosse on the French Atlantic coast, to be followed by other test firings with the VL MICA NG in 2024. First mass production equipment availability milestone is planned for the same year in order to be ready in 2025, with series production from 2026.
 
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OPSSG

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With the F-35B delivery of 1st 4 in 2026, the SAF's Army Deployment Force and the Guardsmen of 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade (7SIB) will grow their:

(i) heliborne capability with the RSAF’s acquisition of 16 H225Ms starting in 2021 and an unknown number of CH-47Fs supported by upgraded AH-64Ds to function as an aviation combat element in support of 7SIB operations. For the acquisition of the H225M, the DSTA team incorporated the display of flight information onto the Thales TopOwl helicopter pilot head-up display helmet — unlike traditional night vision goggles, TopOwl frees up pilots’ peripheral vision, allowing them to simultaneously consult mission-critical data whilst retaining the capacity to see throughout;

(ii) ability to support the commandos in their seizure of foreign airbases and thereafter hide RSAF STOVL fighter operations from enemy cruise missile attacks by playing a shell game at austere bases. This is possible only with CH-47Fs conducting “Fat Cow” refuelling operations in support of dispersed runway operations; and

(iii) amphibious and sea base logistics capability with the proposed acquisition of the JMMS, to replace the four Endurance class vessels — designed to carry the self-propelled Floating Bridge System (FBS), similar to the British Mexeflote system — for the transfer of personnel, vehicles and cargo from ship to shore.
 
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OPSSG

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Having an independent posture (with the Hermes 900’s advanced payload)

1. It was reported on 6 Mar 2021 that an undisclosed country that had 3 squadrons of Searcher UAVs has awarded a US$300 million contract to Elbit. One squadron was replaced with IAI Heron UAVs, the 2nd was replaced with Elbit Hermes 450s, and now the 3rd is being replaced with about 12 Elbit Hermes 900s. This country is expected to be Singapore.

2. The Hermes 900 weighs 970 kg (at maximum takeoff weight), has a wingspan of 15 meters. While offering all Hermes 450 capabilities, and features multi-payload configurations (up to 350 kg), higher flight altitude and extended flight time without the need for external fuel tanks. The ‘900 model uses a more powerful Rotax 914 100 hp engine. The Hermes 900 comes with an internal bay and wing hardpoint options, including space for carriage of Spike LR or NLOS missiles.

3. Intriguingly, one of the two IDF squadrons that fly the Hermes is the Southern Cobra Squadron, originally an AH-1 operator. If the Hermes 900 enters service for Singapore, it will be used in conjunction with Apaches for manned, unmanned teaming.
 
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OPSSG

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Having an independent posture (by working with partners)

4. When delivered from 2026 onwards, Singapore’s F-35Bs can work without ALIS/ODIN network access for 30 days and this is a requirement from operators (particularly like the Italians and British) who risk being cut off during naval operations on their carriers.

5. They say caring is sharing but ALIS probably shares so much more that it makes the RSAF so dependent on the US and its contractor, Lockheed Martin, that there is some discomfort; which is why there are limits to the type of exercises Singapore can conduct with China.

6. This is in contrast to the close ties with the US Navy and US Marines, whose F-35Bs/F-35Cs air wings will treat Singapore as a home port (or naval air station) and whose military leaders like LTG Steven R. Rudder, Commander, US Marine Corps Forces, Pacific, come to appreciate what the SAF and its Army Deployment Force can bring to a fight (or even for non-combat operations, like HADR or NEO); as a partner nation with access to American weapon systems. LTG Rudder visited Headquarters Guards at Dieppe Barracks in the afternoon where he took a familiarisation ride on the Light Strike Vehicle Mark II.
 
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OPSSG

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Congratulating Singapore on the H225Ms, Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even said: “Airbus is very happy to celebrate this important milestone with the RSAF. This delivery is exceptionally significant as Airbus and the RSAF overcame the COVID-19 pandemic challenges in 2020 to achieve a smooth handover of the helicopter.”

With that announcement, the RSAF has taken delivery of its 1st H225M helicopter in Singapore on 29 Mar 2021; Airbus Helicopters signed a contract with Singapore’s Ministry of Defence for the acquisition of H225M Medium Lift Helicopters in 2016.

Dimensions
Height: 4.60 metres
Length: 16.8 metres
Main Rotor Diameter: 16.2 metres
Width: 3 metres

Performance
Ceiling: 6,000 metres
Max Range: 1,282 km

Power
Max Power at TakeOff: 3,740 shp (2,790 kW)

Speed
Cruise Speed: 268 kph (167 mph)
Top Speed at High Altitude: 306 kph (165 KTAS)

Time
Flight Endurance: 4 hrs

Volume
Fuel Tank Capacity: 3,750 liter

Weight
Empty Weight: 5,445 kilogram (12,004 pound)
Max Takeoff Weight: 11,200 kilogram (24,691 pound)
Payload: 5,555 kilogram (12,246 pound)

Singapore has not officially disclosed the numbers of rotorcraft ordered in 2016, but Cirium fleets data suggests it ordered 16 H225Ms.

For the acquisition of the H225M medium lift helicopter, the DSTA team incorporated the display of flight information onto the helmet-mounted display to reduce the pilots’ workload, and further streamlined the new helicopter’s scheduled maintenance requirements. Capable of air-to-air refuelling of fitted with refuelling probe, the longer range, 4 hour flight endurance and reduced footprint from the H225M’s folding rotor blades will also be useful for shipborne operations, with Singapore’s Navy’s ships.
 
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Sandhi Yudha

Well-Known Member
These new EC725s are to replace the ageing AS332M Super Pumas, which have been in service since 1983 if im not wrong, so this is the right moment.

How much Super Pumas did the Republic of Singapore Air Force actually receive over the years? According to some sources 22, somewhere else 32.
 
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OPSSG

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Singapore’s fleet of 16 H225Ms (previously designated as EC725s) is expected to assume a wide range of roles, including aeromedical evacuation, SAR, HADR, United Nations missions (if called upon), counter piracy missions, special operations, and air assault from a land or a sea base. Initially, the RSAF will be conducting flight tests and training on the H225Ms. Once operational, they will progressively replace the Super Pumas, which first entered service in 1983.

Thanks to the customisation efforts for the Brazilian Navy, the H225M’s design is slightly more suited for shipboard operations.
How much Super Pumas did the Republic of Singapore Air Force actually receive over the years? According to some sources 22, somewhere else 32.
IIRC around 32, for 2 Super Puma squadrons from the Air Force’s participation command (“Integrate & Dominate”); but that 1st helicopter was delivered 38 years ago. Currently, the Super Pumas reside under 125 Squadron (“Swift In Support”) and 126 Squadron (“Ready And Able”) stationed at RAAF Base Oakey, Queensland, Australia; but this dated force structure existed before the Singapore Navy started operating 8 Seahawks under 123 Squadron (“Swift And Precise”).
 
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ADMk2

Just a bloke
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I can’t reference it, but I’ve read Singapore has ordered 30x H225M’s, so may 16 contracted and 14 options?
 

OPSSG

Super Moderator
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I can’t reference it, but I’ve read Singapore has ordered 30x H225M’s, so may 16 contracted and 14 options?
It is possible that there are options granted for further H225M aircraft; and given the need to replace 2 Super Puma squadrons, any total number of between 28 to 32, seems about right — if the plan for 125 Squadron (“Swift In Support”) is to remain land bound. According to the Scramble database, the RSAF still has 17 AS332M1s and 13 AS532ULs operational.

I am actually hoping they don’t exercise an option for 14 (as H225M does not have a folding tail for storage on the JMMS). I am of the view, Singapore needs more than 8 Seahawks and 16 H225Ms, and the question, for me is what is the right mix of helicopters to be deployed in the future JMMS.
 
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