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F-16 Fighting Falcon News

Singapore Air Force accepts first Block 52 F-16

April 8, 1998 (by Lieven Dewitte) - The RSAF has taken delivery of the first of 30 block 52 F-16CJ/DJs ordered from LMTAS. In a ceremony at Fort Worth, Chief of Singapore Defense Forces Lt. Gen. Bey Soo Khiang, formally accepted an F-16D with serial #94-0274.

RSAF F-16D Block 52 #638 was the first aircraft delivered under the Peace Carvin II deal. All F-16Ds in this deal have the dorsal spine. [LMTAS photo]

Singapore ordered a full squadron of 18 of the fighters in 1994 and another 12 in 1997. It is leasing 12 units from Lockheed Martin for pilot training in the United States. No price was mentioned for the orders.

The aircraft had been modified prior to delivery by Israeli Aircraft Industries, built to IF-16D standard with a enlarged dorsal spine filled with avionics and electronic equipment believed to be designed specifically for the Wild Weasel Defense Suppression role.

Under training arrangements dating back to 1989, Singapore has an F-16 squadron based at Luke Air Force base in Arizona and a Chinook helicopter unit in Texas, and is to station a KC-135 aerial refuelling aircraft unit in Kansas. Peace Carvin III has been confirmed but location still undecided. Part of the 18 F-16C/D will go there with others going to Luke AFB and Singapore.