................
A Strong SAF for 2030 and Beyond – Ready for SG75
Members have asked more details on our modernisation of the next generation SAF – Mr Vikram Nair, Mr Pritam Singh, Mdm Lateef, Mr Chong Kee Hiong, and Mr Charles Chong. So let me elaborate. Our plans to modernise the Next-Generation SAF to better respond to security threats are progressing well for all three services. With your permission, Mr Speaker, may I display some slides on the LED screens, and also ask for the handout to be distributed.
Let me begin with the air. I think Mr Henry Kwek has asked about the F-35s. We have announced our plans to replace the F-16s, which will face obsolescence post-2030, with the F-35s. This will mean that the RSAF fighter fleet will consist of F-35s and F-15SGs, if plans come to fruition a decade or so from now.
As stated previously, MINDEF will issue a Letter of Request (LOR) to the US to acquire F-35s. As required by US law for foreign military sales, the US Congress must approve the sale of F-35s. Our LOR will request an initial acquisition of four F-35s, with the option of a subsequent eight if we decide to proceed. Singapore has the endorsement of both the US Administration and the Department of Defense for our proposed purchase of F-35s, but the Congress must still approve it. In fact, President Trump wrote to PM Lee last month welcoming Singapore's plans to acquire the F-35. During my meeting with Acting Secretary of Defence Patrick Shanahan at the Munich Security Conference two weeks ago, he also said that the US was greatly appreciative of Singapore's decision and his department supported it.
A word on price. The price of F-35s has been steadily falling due to the healthy orders from the US and ten other countries, including the UK, Italy, Australia, Japan and South Korea. DSTA's assessment is that now is an opportune time to put in Singapore's request. The current unit price of the F-35 ranges from US$90 million to US$115 million per aircraft, comparable to what we have paid for our F-15SGs. The Total Cost of Ownership of a fleet of F-35s, including maintenance across its lifespan, will also be similar to our F-15SGs. Nonetheless, MINDEF will continue to work with the US Department of Defense to optimise operating and maintenance costs.
The RSAF will take delivery of new helicopters from 2020 onwards. The H225M medium-lift and our Chinook heavy-lift helicopters will replace our existing Super Puma and our CH-47D fleets. These new helicopters will add capacity and be more effective in Search and Rescue or Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations. That is for the Air Force. Let me move on to the Navy.
For the RSN, our submarines in operation are over two decades old. We will replace them with four new Invincible-class submarines. The first was launched recently in Germany, with the other three being built. The Invincible-class submarines will have longer endurance, and also the latest locally-developed sensors and automated systems designed for optimal use in our surrounding waters. We have launched our submarines lately in Kiel, facing the North Sea. We launched our previous class of submarines in the Baltic Sea but you know, those cold waters there are much colder. So we have to optimise them for our warm waters here. We aim to have a full fleet of four Invincible-class submarines by 2025.
For surface ships, our ageing missile corvettes have served with distinction since 1989. They are also pioneer generation and will have to be retired soon and they will be replaced by the new Multi-Role Combat Vessels (MRCVs). The first of these will be delivered around 2025 with full delivery expected 2030. More than just improving capabilities, the new MRCVs will incorporate many new ideas. First of all, they will use less manpower. I think many MPs have asked how we will deal with the one-third reduction in manpower. The MRCVs will use less manpower, about half the size of that found on modern frigates. This is quite an achievement. This is possible because we designed it from the onset, custom-built for lean manning, using technologies which automate many functions, including maintenance, and as a result, there is also a cost saving of up to 10% in operating them, compared to other similar-sized frigates. The MRCVs will also have unmanned air and sea drones, so it will not be just a manned ship, it will have air and sea drones, a modular package to extend their reach and flexibility against threats. Many of you are familiar with our LSTs, our Landing Ships Tank. I think many of you have sailed on them and they have proved their worth time and again. Each time we deploy them in exercises, we say, we are so grateful that we have this platform – so versatile, and able to meet mission objectives. It has been the workhorse in our humanitarian assistance and disaster relief and other missions. Our LSTs are aging too, and will need to be replaced in the next decade by larger and more flexible Joint Multi-Mission Ships.
Let me move on to the Army. For the Army, the Next-Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicle will replace our M113 Ultras as the mainstay of the SAF's mechanised forces from this year onward. Singaporeans will see them soon on our roads at this year's National Day Parade. These Armoured Fighting Vehicles have better armour protection and mobility through urban environments. Another addition to the Army will be the Next-Generation Howitzers with extended range and greater precision strikes compared to our current platforms.
SAF – A Hybrid Force
I have talked about air, land, and sea platforms. But the signature change I think for the SAF of 2030 and beyond is that the SAF will become a more hybrid force. We will use many more unmanned platforms. Some of the RSAF's unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) have been operating for more than a decade and they will be replaced by newer UAVs with better capabilities over the next few years. I mentioned the MRCV's unmanned surface vessels too. But in the Army, soldiers within the Army will soon use micro-UAVs, for the first time, which will be particularly useful in built-up and urban environments. These unmanned platforms will complement traditional manned equipment, to enhance responses across the full range of operational scenarios.
In all, the Next-Generation SAF of 2030 and beyond, with this full complement of assets in air, land and sea, will be able to defend Singapore for another generation. This is the SAF that will take us into and guard our future. This is the SAF that our investments have bought, or will buy.
This is the SAF on air, land and sea, with which the next generation of Singaporeans will celebrate for SG75. By then, we will have a state-of-art coastal surveillance network and air defence systems to form a shield around Singapore against incoming threats. The RSAF will fly F-35s and F-15SGs over our skies, supported by A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, G550 Airborne Early Warning Aircraft, new helicopters and a host of new UAVs. The RSN will have MRCVs, Invincible-class submarines, new unmanned surface vessels and larger Joint Multi-Mission Ships, in addition to existing frigates and Littoral Mission Vessels. The Army will be more protected and mobile, with soldiers mounted in the Next-Generation Armoured Fighting Vehicles and Terrex Motorised Vehicles. Leopard tanks, High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) and Next-Generation Howitzers will support them, complemented by a full suite of combat engineers, signals, logistic and maintenance platforms. But hardware alone will not build you a strong army and a strong military. We will have to have new training, both here and overseas, which will ensure that our national servicemen and Regulars can build a modern and capable SAF that can defend Singapore and our interests. I know members here have asked that, Mr Zainal Sapari among others.
.................
See full article Sing Mindef