Singapore - F-16 Peace Carvin
Fighter interceptors initially formed the outermost layer of defence. This role is primarily undertaken by the F-16 Fighting Falcons. The F-16s were long the RSAF's most sophisticated front-line aircraft, fulfilling a wide range of roles from interceptor to maritime strike. Despite its age, the F-5E Tiger II supersonic jet interceptor remains a credible fighter. It is easy to manoeuvre and difficult to spot because of its small size, making it as deadly as other newer aircraft types in close combat.
The Peace Carvin letter of agreement [LOA], signed in April 1984, called for the sale of eight F-16A/B aircraft at a total cost of $272 million. Peace Carvin did not involve any FMS credits. However, Singapore did negotiate a 20 percent offset arrangement with General Dynamics.
In January 1985, Singapore ordered eight F-16/79 fighters with General Electric J79 engines. Later that year the order was changed to the F-16A/B OCU Foreign Military Sale (FMS) configuration with the F100-PW-220 engine. This was the Peace Carvin Foreign Military Sales program. The first aircraft was delivered in February 1988 and the rest were delivered during that year. These aircraft were used for training Singapore Air Force pilots at Luke Air Force Base, Ariz., until they were moved to Singapore in January 1990. In-country delivery of the aircraft was completed in January 1990.
In July 1994, Singapore signed a letter of agreement for 18 block 52 F-16C/D aircraft under the Peace Carvin II Foreign Military Sales program. The first aircraft was accepted in ceremonies on April 19, 1998. The rest of the aircraft were delivered during 1998. In July 1996, Singapore signed a commercial contract for lease of 12 new Block 52 aircraft to be used for training in the United States. These aircraft were delivered in the second half of 1998, and are currently in operation at Cannon Air Force Base, NM.
In September 1997, Singapore ordered 12 more Block 52 F-16C/D aircraft under a commercial contract. The first delivery was in November 1999 and the last in April 2000. In November 2000, Singapore ordered 20 Block 52 aircraft under a commercial contract. These aircraft were delivered between 2003 and 2005. In addition to purchasing and leasing new aircraft, Singapore leased U.S. Air Force F-16s for pilot and maintenance training in the United States. Singapore leased nine ex-Thunderbird F-16A/B aircraft from 1993 to 1996, and a dozen Block 42 aircraft from 1996 to 1998. Singapore Air Force personnel trained at Luke and Cannon Air Force Bases using their own and leased Block 52 aircraft.
In October 2003 Singapore announced that the Typhoon had been down selected in the Next Fighter Replacement Programme competition along with the Rafale and the F-15. In April 2005 Singapore informed BAES that Typhoon is not on the final shortlist for their Next Fighter Replacement Programme (F15 and Rafale proceed). Singapore indicated that the proposed Typhoon delivery schedule and upgrade program did not meet their requirements.
145 Squadron motif depicts a valiant hornet in an attack posture to deter potential aggressors. The yellow and black stripes represent speed and agility. Its blazed-green eyes and forward arching sting epitomises its readiness to strike in swift response to defend its nest, at day or night. Established on 1st Apr 1984 at Tengah Air Base, the Squadron first started flying the A4 Skyhawks. On 3 July 2004, 145 Squadron began operating from Changi Air Base (East) with the induction of the F16D Block 52+, the latest in RSAF's inventory.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) 145 Squadron, which operates the F-16DBlock 52+ fighter aircraft, was declared fully operational by Minister for Defence Teo CheeHean at a ceremony held today at Changi Air Base (East) 24 May 2006. The F16D Block 52+ is a multi-role combat platform equipped with state-of-the-art capabilities. Its enhanced radar with increased detection range and improved ground mapping capabilities, advanced targeting pod that enables the Squadron to conduct a wide spectrum of precision day and night operations. 145 Squadron is an unique fighter squadron in the RSAF as all the aircraft are tandem-seats and every mission is flown with a weapon systems officer [WSO(FTR)] in the rear cockpit. The additional crew on board each fighter platform enables the Squadron to take on even more complex and demanding missions, transforming the way our fighter jets can be used to defend the nation.
By 2010 Lockheed Martin probably wanted to sell the F-35 to Singapore as an F-16 replacement, but Singapore may prefer to upgrade its F-16s rather than replace them. Singapore needs technology that would help them overcome quantitative inferiority.
In May 2015 the US State Department made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Singapore for the F-16 Block 52 Upgrade Program and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $130 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale on May 5, 2015. The proposed upgrade improves both the capabilities and reliability of the RSAF’s aging fleet of F-16s. The improved capability, survivability, and reliability of the newly upgraded F-16s would enhance the RSAF’s ability to defend its borders and contribute to coalition operations.
The Government of Singapore requested a possible sale for the upgrade of 60 F-16C/D/D+ aircraft. The upgrades would address reliability, supportability, and combat effectiveness concerns associated with its aging F-16 fleet. This proposed sale contains additional requirements not previously identified in congressional notification 13-67. Items included in the proposed sale are 50 Joint Helmet-Mounted Cueing System, 90 AN/APX-126 Advanced Identification Friend or Foe Interrogator/Transponders, 150 LAU-129 Missile Launchers, 8 KMU-572/B 500lbs Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM) Tail Kits, 9 KMU-556/B 2000lbs JDAM Tail Kits, 2 FMU-152 Munition Fuze Units, 10 MK-82 500lbs Inert Bombs, 3 MK-84 2000lbs Inert Bombs, 12 LN-260 Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems (GPS/INS), 20 GBU-39/B Small Diameter Bombs (SDB), 92 Link-16 Multifunctional Information Distribution System/ Low Volume Terminals (MIDS/LVT), 2 SDB Guided Test Vehicles, Computer Control Group and Tail Assembly for GBU-49, DSU-38/40 Proximity Sensor for JDAM, GBU-39 Tactical training Round, ADU-890/E and 891 Adaptor Group for Common Munitions Built-In-Test/Reprogramming Equipment, Encryption/Decryption devise, MIDS/LVT Ground Support Station, spare and repair parts, repair and return, support equipment, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, tool and test equipment, U.S. Government and contractor engineering, technical and logistics support services, and other related elements of program and logistics support. The estimated cost is $130 million.
On 01 December 2015 Lockheed Martin Aeronautics, Fort Worth, Texas, was awarded a $914,000,000 fixed-price incentive and cost-plus contract to upgrade F-16 aircraft for the government of Singapore. Work would be performed at Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be complete by June 30, 2023. This contract is 100 percent foreign military sales. This award is the result of a sole-source acquisition. Air Force Life Cycle Management Center, Wright-Patterson Air Force Base Ohio, is the contracting activity (FA8615-16-C-6048).
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