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Additional spare parts and enhancements for the Singapore F-16s

January 21, 2025 (by Lieven Dewitte) - Lockheed Martin has been awarded an additional $8.7 million for spares to support the upgrade of Singapore’s F-16 fighter jets and keep the fleet combat-ready for the demands of modern warfare.

RSAF Military Expert 2 Tan Ding Liang, a crew chief assigned to the 425th FS, marshals F-16D block 52 #01-6024 of the 425th FS upon arrival at Nellis AFB on September 12th, 2024. Eight RSAF F-16’s flew over from Luke AFB to Nellis AFB to participate in Green Flag 24-11. [USAF photo by A1C. Elizabeth Tan]

This contract modification is part of of a larger modernization program that has now reached a cool US$1.1 billion.

Announced on 17 January 2025, this contract modification announced by the DSCA includes the delivery of additional spare parts and underscores Singapore’s commitment to maintaining a cutting-edge air force in an increasingly tense Indo-Pacific region.

Work will be carried out in Fort Worth, Texas, and will be expected to complete by 31 September 2027.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) first received its F-16s in the mid-1990s, but as with many modern air forces, the need for upgrades and continuous modernization has been a constant theme.

The RSAF currently operates around 60 F-16s, mostly of the F-16C/D block 52 variant. These versions of the fighter jet are among the most advanced in the world. The upgraded aircraft were forst delivered in June 2021 while the contract for the F-16 upgrade was initially awarded in 2015.

In a statement published by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) in September 2023, it was announced that its F-16 aircraft have been upgraded. The upgrades, MINDEF said, would “ensure the RSAF's operational readiness and capability to defend Singapore's skies until the mid-2030s”.

New and advanced capabilities on the aircraft include a new Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar (AESA), the ability to deploy air-to-air and air-to-ground munitions, an upgraded electronic warfare suite and improved datalink capabilities.


Additional images:

RSAF F-16D block 72V #670 from 145 sqn is coming in for landing at Luke AFB on July 10th, 2024. [Photo by Nate Leong]

USAF Lt. Col. Robert Hilby, commander of the 425th FS at Luke AFB and RSAF Capt. Chan Guan Wei, a weapon system officer assigned to the 425th FS, taxi in F-16D block 52 #01-6024 upon arrival at Nellis AFB on September 12th, 2024. [USAF photo by A1C. Elizabeth Tan]

RSAF F-16C block 52 #645 from 143 sqn is about to touch down on Lim Chu Kang road in an off base exercise on November 12th, 2016. [Airfighters.com photo by Gary Ng]