Singapore - Transports
The RSAF ordered the Fokker 50 aircraft from the Netherlands in the early 1990s. Delivery of the aircraft began in 1994 . These new aircraft replaced the Shorts Skyvan in the Maritime Patrol/light transport role. The use of infra-red technology, such as the Forward Looking Infra-red Turret (FLT) for the Super Puma (left) and the Infra-red Detection Set (IRDS) for the F-50 MPA (above), further enhances RSAF's search-and-rescue capabilities by allowing missions to be conducted at night and in adverse weather conditions.
In 1977, the RSAF purchased four secondhand C-130 Hercules transport aircraft to fulfil its medium-lift transport requirements. These were used to support the Air Force and Army, and proved to be such a useful platform that the RSAF ordered more aircraft, this time later C-130H models, in the mid-1980s. It was around this time that the RSAF began looking at mid-air refuelling capabilities for its aircraft, and converting some of its C-130 fleet looked like the best option. Trials were successful, and soon all C-130Bs were converted into KC-130B tankers. This was followed by subsequent purchases of another C-130H and KC-130H. Today all C-130s are frequently deployed overseas to support the regular Army and Air Force exercises with friendly armed forces throughout the region.
The KC-135R Stratotanker is an air-to-air refueling aircraft that is able to refuel the RSAF's fighter jets and extend their flight endurance. The Air Force fighters have a large fuel consumption in long-range flights. The tanker is like a “behind-the-scenes hero” and plays an important role in replenishing the fighters with extra fuel in the air. In 2000, the KC-135R air tanker, which was incorporated into the 112th Squadron, was tasked with important humanitarian assistance operations and bilateral and multilateral exercises to ensure that fighters arrived safely after long-haul flights. Four detachments of a KC-135R tanker aircraft deployed to Qatar to support the air-to-air refuelling operations from 2015 to 2018.
Equipped with the Multi-Point Refuelling System and the refuelling boom, the KC-135R is the RSAF's first tanker, capable of providing air-to-air refuelling for all fighter aircraft. Four RSAF F-16C/D Fighting Falcons from its Peace Carvin II and III detachments in the United States were redeployed back to Singapore in an exercise to practise the RSAF's expeditious recall of its overseas-based assets. Two RSAF KC-135R tankers provided air-to-air refuelling support for the 17,000km journey. Preparations for the longrange redeployment involved extensive planning and coordination between the RSAF and US Air Force.
Their operations have since been taken over by the new A330 Multi-Role Transport Tankers. It is more cost effective to replace the KC-135R with the A330 MRTT, which offers enhanced capabilities to meet the SAF’s long-term operational demands. The RSAF replaced its ageing fleet of four KC-135R aerial tankers with the A330 MRTT, of which a total of six were on order. The KC-135R were progressively drawn down as the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport is operationalised. After the "Veteran" ended and served the Singapore Air Force for more than 20 years, the four generations of air tanker KC-135R officially retired in Novmber 2019.
Airbus has delivered the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) first A330 Multi Role Tanker Transport (MRTT). The aircraft made its first official public appearance on Saturday 1 September 2018 at the RSAF’s 50th anniversary parade. The new-generation A330 MRTT extends the endurance of the RSAF’s fighter aircraft, and ensures the service’s continued capability to provide air-to-air refuelling support. It also provides the RSAF with greater cargo and passenger transport capabilities, and enhances its ability to contribute to international humanitarian assistance and disaster relief (HADR) and peace support operations.
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