Singapore ‘elevates’ air force into ‘premier league’ by adding more F-35 stealth fighters, as regional threats grow

The first F-35Bs will be delivered to Singapore in 2026, Ng said.

The B model is capable of taking off and landing vertically, a crucial part of operating off ships, or in places without traditional runways.

“The F-35As are designed for greater endurance and have the ability to carry payloads of higher capacity,” Ng said in explaining the decision to parliament.

“They complement the F-35Bs, which have short take-off and vertical landing capability.”

Ng did not disclose the cost of the purchase during remarks to Singapore’s parliament on Wednesday. The F-35 unit price can vary depending on customer and model; last year, the US Department of Defense awarded a US$7.8 billion contract to Lockheed Martin for 126 F-35s.

Lockheed Martin declined to comment on the unit price or total value of the deal, saying in a statement it was “honoured that the Singaporean government has selected the F-35A as part of the RSAF’s future fighter aircraft fleet”.

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence declined to comment on the unit cost or total cost of the aircraft.

Singapore’s defence budget will increase 2.5 per cent in the next financial year, to S$20.2 billion (US$15 billion), Ng said.

“The risk of regional and even global conflict even in the next decade has become non-zero,” Ng told parliament. “I do not make this assessment lightly.”