F-35B VSTOL Enables Singapore Air Force to Strike from “Anywhere”
The capabilities of the F-35B VSTOL fighter aircraft variant, anticipated to be operational in the Republic of Singapore from 2026 onward, are poised to fundamentally transform the Republic's Air Force, significantly diminishing its reliance on conventional runways for fighter aircraft deployments.
(DEFENCE SECURITY ASIA) — In approximately six or seven years from now, the Republic of Singapore Air Force is poised to lose one of its crucial airbases, namely Paya Lebar Air Base, which currently serves as the home to several squadrons of its key combat aircraft.
As the present moment, Paya Lebar Air Base accommodates squadrons operating Singapore’s C-130 Hercules and F-15SG “Strike Eagles.”
The closure of Paya Lebar Air Base in 2030 will leave Singapore with only three airbases: Tengah, Sembawang, and Changi.
However, only two of these bases will have the capacity to house and operate combat aircraft.
Paya Lebar Air Base is slated for redevelopment as a new residential area for 150,000 inhabitants.
For a small nation with limited land space, the challenge of allocating a vast area for military activities, such as an airbase for combat aircraft operations, is indeed formidable.
To address this, in 2019, Singapore opted to acquire four F-35B Vertical Short Take-Off and Landing (VSTOL) variants and several months ago added another eight more F-35B, bringing the total number of the fifth-generation fighter aircrafts it will own to 12.
The F-35B VSTOL, manufactured by Lockheed Martin, is considered the most advanced fighter aircraft in Southeast Asia by analysts. Singapore has been part of the F-35 fighter development program since 2003 as a Security Cooperation Participant.
The F-35B VSTOL variant, equipped with a full complement of bombs, guided missiles, and fuel, requires a runway as short as 200 meters for takeoff—the shortest among modern fighter aircraft.
Initially developed to meet the U.S. Marine Corps’ need for aircraft capable of operating from Amphibious Assault Ships, the F-35B VSTOL’s capabilities will transform the Republic of Singapore Air Force, reducing its reliance on conventional runways for mission deployment.
The acquisition of the F-35B VSTOL by Singapore aims to replace its existing F-16 fleet, recently upgraded with new radar, datalink, mission computer, and weaponry, ensuring operational viability until the mid-2030s.
During crises or emergencies, Singapore can deploy its F-35B aircraft from small airbases or potentially scattered temporary facilities across the country.
The flexibility of these temporary facilities allows for quick relocation to thwart potential enemy targeting during warfare.
Damage or destruction to a traditional conventional runway airbase could result in a temporary halt to air force operations, potentially causing significant setbacks in a conflict—especially for Singapore, heavily dependent on airpower.
Currently, besides airbases, Singapore has utilized certain roadways, like the 2.5km-long Lim Chu Kang Road, as temporary runways for fighter takeoffs and landings.
With the F-35B, the Republic’s air force can operate from various locations in Singapore, even utilizing roadways with a length exceeding 200 meters, potentially including the central business district.
During the multinational air exercise Pitch Black in Australia last year, Singaporean media reported the Republic’s air force engaging with the U.S. military, which also deployed F-35B aircraft to the exercise.
This collaboration allowed the Republic of Singapore Air Force to gain valuable experience and insights into the operation and handling of the F-35B VSTOL from its American counterparts.
Simultaneously, the U.S. Marine Corps is training to operate six out of twelve F-35B VSTOLs from a remote location in northern Australia, approximately 1,000 miles away from the main airbase. — DSA
