Republic of Singapore Air Force


The Republic of Singapore Air Force is the aerial service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces responsible for controlling and defending the airspace of the country, and providing air support to the Army and Navy. It was established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command before renaming to its current name in 1975.
As one of the larger and more technologically advanced air forces in Southeast Asia, the RSAF has undertaken a significant role in Singapore's military defence strategy since its formation. The RSAF is one of the more modern air forces in the region.
The RSAF currently has four domestic airbases – Paya Lebar, Changi, Sembawang and Tengah – as well as a training detachment at the civilian airport of Seletar. The RSAF also has overseas detachments in various countries, most notably in Australia, France, Thailand and the United States. As of 2023, the RSAF has a strength of 6,000 active personnel.

History

Early years

In January 1968, the United Kingdom, which by this time had lost most of its global prestige especially after the Suez Crisis and was facing major financial difficulties that were greatly exacerbated by the devaluation of the pound, announced the imminent withdrawal of all its troops "East of Suez" by the end of 1971. Prior to then, Singapore had depended heavily on Britain's Royal Air Force for its air defence, while the newly established Singapore Armed Forces had concentrated its efforts mainly on building up the land-based Singapore Army.
The predecessor to the RSAF, the SADC, was formed on 1 September 1968. The SADC's immediate task was to set up the Flying Training School to train pilots. Qualified flying instructors were obtained through Airwork Services Limited, a company specialising in defence services. Basic training for pilots was carried out using two Cessna light aircraft hired from the Singapore Flying Club. The SADC also enlisted the help of the Royal Air Force which introduced the first flying training syllabus and provided two ex-RAF pilots as instructors, as well as facilities and services at Seletar Airport. Finally, the first batch of six pilot trainees were sent to the United Kingdom in August 1968 to undergo training in various technical disciplines. The training was based on the Hawker Hunter, the SADC's first air defence fighter. The following month, another pioneer group of technicians, this time from the rotary wing, were sent to France to begin their technical training on the Aérospatiale Alouette III helicopter. In 1969, a number of local RAF technicians were released to join the fledgling SADC. These local
technicians (local other ranks) had experience working on fixed-wing RAF aircraft such as the Hawker Hunter, Gloster Javelin, English Electric Canberra, English Electric Lightning and Avro Shackleton; as well as rotary-wing RAF aircraft such as the Bristol Belvedere, Westland Wessex and Westland Whirlwind.
Eight Cessna 172K aircraft—the SADC's first—arrived in May 1969 to be used for basic pilot training. By December, the first batch of students completed the course. Of these, six were sent to the UK to receive further training. On their return to Singapore in 1970, they were ready to operate the then newly acquired Hawker Hunter fighter aircraft.
The pace of training pilots and ground crew picked up gradually. On 1 August 1969, Minister for the Interior and Defence, Lim Kim San, inaugurated the Flying Training School at Tengah Air Base. The inauguration of FTS brought SADC closer to its goal of fulfilling the heavy responsibility of defending Singapore's airspace.
The subsequent arrival of the BAC Strikemasters in 1969, used for advanced phase flying training, meant that pilot trainees were now able to earn their initial wings locally rather than overseas. The first batch of locally trained fighter pilots were trained at the FTS and graduated in November 1970. Amongst this batch was 2LT Goh Yong Siang, who later rose to the appointment of Chief of Air Force on 1 July 1995. Gradually, the SADC had its own pilots, flying instructors, air traffic controllers, and ground crew.
When Britain brought forward its plan to withdraw its forces by September 1971, the SADC was suddenly entrusted with a huge responsibility and resources. Britain's former air bases—Tengah, Seletar, Sembawang and Changi—were handed over to the SADC, as well as its air defence radar station and Bloodhound II surface-to-air missiles.
In 1973, the SADC procured Shorts Skyvan search-and-locate aircraft and Douglas A-4 Skyhawk fighter-bombers. With a reliable mix of fighters, fighter-bombers, helicopters and transport aircraft, the SADC was ready to assume the functions of a full-fledged air force. On 1 April 1975, the SADC was renamed the Republic of Singapore Air Force.
One of its first commanders was LTC Ee Tean Chye.

21st century

The RSAF celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2018 with the theme "Our Home, Above All". The RSAF celebrated its Golden Jubilee with an extended flypast during the national day parade on 9 August and also performed 2 sessions of aerial display at the Marina Barrage on 11 and 12 August.
Combat operations

Description of logo

The crest consists of the national coat of arms supported by the silver wings of the Air Force within a bowl of golden laurels.

Organisation

Commands and units

On 5 January 2007, Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean announced that the Air Force organisation chart will be re-structured into five major commands, namely the Air Defence and Operations Command, the Air Combat Command, the Participation Command, the Air Power Generation Command and the Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command. The first to be inaugurated was ADOC, along the restructuring announcement.
Air Defence and Operations Command is the principal agency in charge of planning and executing peacetime operations and air defence. ADOC is also responsible for providing ground-based air defence units of the RSAF.
Unmanned Aerial Vehicle Command was the second command to be inaugurated and become operational in May 2007.
The next command to be inaugurated was in January 2008.
The last two commands, and , were inaugurated together in August 2008 in conjunction with the RSAF 40th Anniversary. The ACC will bring together fighter and transport squadrons under one command, with central planning, control and execution of the air battle in operations. The APGC will enhance the missions of the ACC by ensuring that all air bases remain operational at all times, as well as improving the servicing and turn-around of aircraft to ensure continuous and responsive operations.

Air Combat Command (ACC)

The ACC is responsible for the planning, control and execution of the air battle in operations. It brings together all fighter and transport squadrons that will carry out these tasks under a single command which will be responsible for training the pilots and aircrew to think and operate in a fully integrated way. The ACC consists of the following groups:
  • HQ ACC
  • Integrated Systems Development Group
  • Operations Development Group
  • Fighter Group
  • * 140 Squadron
  • * 142 Squadron
  • * 143 Squadron
  • * 145 Squadron
  • * 149 Squadron
  • * Peace Carvin II – Luke Air Force Base, Arizona, USA
  • * Peace Carvin V – Mountain Home Air Force Base, Idaho, USA
  • Transport Group
  • * 111 Squadron
  • * 112 Squadron
  • * 121 Squadron
  • * 122 Squadron

Air Power Generation Command (APGC)

The APGC is set up to enable the RSAF to generate and sustain effective, timely and robust air power to meet the operational needs of the SAF. With the APGC, higher operational efficiency within each RSAF Air Base, and secondly, greater integration across the four bases are achieved. Units are classified under Air Base Operability and Aircraft Generation. The APGC consists of the following groups:
  • HQ APGC
  • Operations Development Group
  • Airbase Medical Operations Centre
  • Changi Air Base
  • * 208 Squadron
  • * 508 Squadron
  • * 608 Squadron
  • * 708 Squadron
  • * 808 Squadron - under 5 AELG
  • Paya Lebar Air Base
  • * 207 Squadron
  • * 507 Squadron
  • * 607 Squadron
  • * 707 Squadron
  • * 7 Air Engineering and Logistics Group
  • ** 807 Squadron
  • ** 817 Squadron
  • Sembawang Air Base
  • * 206 Squadron
  • * 506 Squadron
  • * 606 Squadron
  • * 706 Squadron
  • * 6 Air Engineering and Logistics Group
  • ** 806 Squadron
  • ** 816 Squadron
  • Tengah Air Base
  • * 205 Squadron
  • * 505 Squadron
  • * 605 Squadron
  • * 705 Squadron
  • * 5 Air Engineering and Logistics Group
  • ** 805 Squadron
  • ** 815 Squadron
The four support squadrons still remain organic to each Base but are under direct command of APGC. These four squadrons are: Airfield Maintenance Squadron, Ground Logistics Squadron, Field Defence Squadron and Flying Support Squadron.
The Airbase Medical Operations Centre was formed from the Medical Flights of each GLS in November 2025.

UAV Command (UC)

The main structures under UC are Operations & System Development Group, headed by the Deputy Commander of UC. UC consists of the following groups:
  • HQ UC
  • UAV Group
  • * 116 Squadron
  • * 119 Squadron
  • * 128 Squadron
  • Imagery Exploitation Group
  • * 129 Squadron
  • * 138 Squadron
  • 1 Air Engineering and Logistics Group
  • * 801 Squadron
  • * 811 Squadron

Air Defence & Operations Command (ADOC)

The ADOC consist of the following:
  • HQ ADOC
  • Air Surveillance Control Group
  • * 200 Squadron
  • * 202 Squadron
  • * 203 Squadron
  • National Air Defence Group
  • * 160 Squadron
  • * 163 Squadron
  • * 165 Squadron
  • Air Operations Control Group
  • 9 Air Engineering and Logistics Group
  • * 113 Squadron
  • * 809 Squadron
  • * 819 Squadron

Participation Command (PC)

The PC consists of the following groups:
  • HQ PC
  • Operations Development Group
  • Helicopter Group
  • * 120 Squadron
  • * 123 Squadron
  • * 125 Squadron
  • * 126 Squadron
  • * 127 Squadron
  • * Peace Vanguard – Marana, Arizona, USA
  • Tactical Air Support Group
  • * 1 Medical Squadron
  • * 101 Squadron
  • * 102 Squadron
  • * 103 Squadron
  • * 105 Squadron
  • Divisional Air Defence Group
  • * 3 Divisional Air Defence Artillery
  • * 6 Divisional Air Defence Artillery
  • * 9 Divisional Air Defence Artillery
  • * 18 Divisional Air Defence Artillery
  • * 201 Squadron
  • * DAG MTC

Air Force Training Command (AFTC)

The is an amalgamation of the former Air Force School, Flying Training School and UAV Training school which facilitates training of future pilots and ground crew of the RSAF. It is located at 550 Airport Road, Singapore 534236.
The training schools and squadrons under AFTC consist of the following:
  • HQ AFTC
  • Flying Training Institute
  • * 124 Squadron
  • * 130 Squadron – RAAF Base Pearce, Perth, Western Australia, Australia
  • * 150 Squadron – Cazaux Air Base, France
  • * Air Grading Centre – Jandakot, Perth, Western Australia
  • * Standards Squadron
  • * UAV Training School
  • Air Warfare Training Institute
  • * AWO School
  • * ADSS School
  • * AOSX School
  • * Air Intelligence School
  • Air Engineering Training Institute
  • * Advanced AFE School
  • * Aircraft Engineering School
  • * Civil Engineering School
  • * Networks, C2 and Air Defence School
  • * Supply Chain School
  • Training Development Group

Retired units

  • 130 Squadron BAC Strikemaster and S211
  • 131 Squadron T-33A and S211
  • 141 Squadron Hawker hunters and F-5 also known as the Merlins
  • 144 Squadron F-5E/T

Air bases

Changi Air Base (West)

Overseas detachments

Overview

The backbone of the RSAF is formed by the Block 52/52+ F-16 Fighting Falcons. These are armed with US-supplied AIM-120C AMRAAM missiles and LANTIRN targeting pods, laser guided munitions and conformal fuel tanks for long-range strike.
While Singapore initially bought as many as 70 F-16 planes, on 18 November 2004, it was announced that the RSAF would offer its remaining 7 F-16A/Bs to the Royal Thai Air Force. It is believed that these early Block 15OCU aircraft were upgraded to "Falcon One" standard by ST Aerospace before the transfer and delivered in late 2005. In return, the RSAF was permitted to train at the Udon Royal Thai Air Force Base in north-east Thailand for a specified number of days each year. This would mean that the RSAF will operate only the Block 52/52+ model, as many as 62 F-16CJ/DJ planes.
Due to severe airspace constraints within Singapore, the RSAF operates its aircraft at several overseas locations to provide greater exposure to its pilots. With the F-16C/D Fighting Falcons, KC-135R Stratotankers, AH-64D Apaches and CH-47SD Chinook helicopters based in the United States, the Marchetti S-211s, PC-21s, and Super Puma helicopters in Australia, and the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master in France, almost one third of the force's inventory is based outside Singapore.
In 1994, the RSAF commenced a modernisation program for its fleet of approximately 49 operational F-5E and F-5F aircraft. The upgrade was performed by Singapore Technologies Aerospace and the upgraded aircraft were designated F-5S and F-5T respectively, operating from Paya Lebar Air Base. These upgraded F-5S/T, equipped with the Galileo Avionica's FIAR Grifo-F X-band Radar are thought to be capable of firing the AIM-120 AMRAAM missile but to date, no actual live-firing has actually been reported. For in-flight refuelling, four KC-135Rs and four KC-130Bs are commissioned to support the fighter force of F-16C/Ds and F-5S/Ts.
Airborne Early Warning and Control capability was introduced in 1987 when four E-2C Hawkeyes were delivered to 111 Squadron. The duty of Maritime Patrol and Coastal surveillance is performed by the eight Fokker 50 MPA of 121 Squadron, which can be armed with long-range anti-shipping AGM-84 Harpoon missiles and ASW torpedoes.
As part of its fleet renewal process, the RSAF officially withdrew its fleet of ST Aerospace A-4SU Super Skyhawk from front-line service on 31 March 2005 after 31 years of operations. The A-4SUs' achievements included flying directly from Singapore to the Philippines, incorporating the RSAF's first air-to-air refuelling mission in 1986, as well as the excellent aerobatic display of the 'red and white' Super Skyhawks flown by the RSAF Black Knights during Asian Aerospace 1990. A month before its retirement, the Skyhawk squadron won top honours in a strike exercise against its more modern F-16 and F-5 counterparts.
Singapore ordered a total of twenty AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters in two batches. After a long period of negotiations over the delivery of the sophisticated Longbow Fire-control radar, the first batch of eight aircraft, fitted with the Fire Control Radar, was delivered on 17 May 2002. The second batch of 12 Apaches were ordered in 2001 even before the first delivery took place. All of the initial eight Apaches are based in the United States. Three of the Apache Longbows returned in January 2006 at the request of the Minister of Defence.
Apart from the fifteen CH-47SDs delivered from 1996, a new batch of fifteen aircraft was ordered in 1997, with an option of four extra airframes. At least 30 CH-47SD have been delivered and are in service at Sembawang Air Base. It is believed that these had been upgraded to the SD standard prior to delivery.
Eight CH-47SDs were also deployed to support the relief efforts in the aftermath of the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami. It was the first and one of the few countries to reach the affected areas. The RSAF deployed dozens of C-130Hs, CH-47SDs and AS 332Ms there along with three of the RSN's latest Landing Ship Tanks as well as Singapore Armed Forces vehicles, engineers, and medical teams.
In September 2005, the RSAF sent three CH-47SD Chinook helicopters, later augmented by a fourth CH-47SD Chinook, to provide assistance in the rescue and evacuation of stranded civilians after Hurricane Katrina struck New Orleans and nearby areas in the United States. The humanitarian effort by Singapore involved more aircraft than any other foreign countries.
Since 2003, the RSAF has also made deployments of KC-135 tankers and C-130 aircraft to the Persian Gulf in support of the multinational efforts for the reconstruction of Iraq. RSAF personnel have carried out airlift, transportation and supply, and air-to-air refuelling missions in support of the multinational forces, assisting the Coalition in carrying supplies and personnel, transporting humanitarian material and conducting medical evacuation operations. In September 2013, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen stated in a parliamentary reply that Singapore would soon acquire the Aster 30 land-based missile system.
RSAF day is celebrated on 1 September annually, in 2018 a combined flypast including the new A330 MRTT with a special 50th anniversary livery took place at Tengah Air Base.

Personnel

Military ranks in the Singapore Armed Forces are identical across the three services except for the flag ranks of the RSN. They are based on the Army model. The official table of ranks stops at three stars for all four services.
Like the Navy, the majority of Air Force personnel are regulars. This is due to the specialised and technical nature of many jobs. The employment of National Servicemen in various roles are limited mostly to the infantry-like Field Defence Squadrons which do not require such specialised training.

Aircraft

In February 2003, Singapore joined the JSF program's System Design and Development Phase, as a Security Co-operation Participant. The first deliveries of the F-35 Lightning II are not expected before 2021, but replacement for the bulk of the A-4SUs was needed by 2007. As a start, 20 F-16D Block 52+ have been delivered from 2003 under project Peace Carvin IV.
The RSAF embarked on its Next Generation Fighter programme to replace the aging A-4SUs. The original list of competitors was shortlisted to the final two – Dassault Rafale and the Boeing F-15SG Strike Eagle. The F-15SG is a variant of the F-15E Strike Eagle and is similar in configuration to the F-15K sold to South Korea, but differs in the addition of the APG-63(V)3 active electronically scanned array radar developed by Raytheon. The F-15SG is powered by two General Electric F110-GE-129 thrust engines. The DSTA conducted a detailed technical assessment, simulations, and other tests to assess the final selection. On 6 September 2005, it was announced that the F-15SG had won the contract over the Rafale. An initial order placed in 2005 for 12 aircraft with the option to purchase 8 more. On 22 October 2007, Singapore's Ministry of Defence exercised the option to purchase eight more F-15SG fighters as part of the original contract signed in 2005. Along with this buy, an additional order for four F-15SGs was made, bringing the total number of F-15SGs purchased by the start of 2008 to 24.
In January 2005, it was announced that 6 Sikorsky S-70B naval helicopters will be purchased, complete with anti-surface and anti-submarine weapons and sensors. 2 more Seahawks were ordered in 2013. The Seahawks are operated by RSAF pilots, with System Specialists of the Republic of Singapore Navy operating the sensors and weaponry. They operate from the Navy's new Formidable class frigates, and when operating from land are based at Sembawang Air Base. All 20 AH-64D Longbow attack helicopters have been delivered to the RSAF. 12 of these were deployed back to Singapore and took part in combined arms exercises with the Army, with the remaining 8 helicopters being part of the Peace Vanguard detachment based in the United States.
In April 2007, it was announced that the 4 E-2C Hawkeyes were to be replaced with 4 Gulfstream G550s fitted with the IAI EL/W-2085 radar which would become the primary airborne early warning aircraft for the RSAF. Not included in the deal is an additional G550 as an AEW trainer, which will be acquired and maintained by ST Aerospace on behalf of RSAF.
In July 2010, the Alenia Aermacchi M-346 Master was selected by the RSAF to replace the A-4SU in the Advanced Jet Training role, currently based at BA 120 Cazaux Air Base in France. In a press release by the MINDEF on 28 September 2008, ST Aerospace had been awarded the contract to acquire twelve M-346 and a ground based training system on behalf of RSAF. As stipulated in the contract, ST Aerospace will act as the main contractor to maintain the aircraft after delivery by Alenia Aermacchi while Boeing would supply the training system. Delivery date is scheduled from 2012 onwards.
The backbone of the transport fleet are the four KC-130B, one KC-130H and five C-130H Hercules transport aircraft, which are expected to remain in service through 2030, will be undergoing an extensive modernisation process to bring all ten existing airframes to the same common standard. The first airframe, a KC-130B, was returned to frontline service on 21 September 2010. ST Aerospace, the main contractor behind the project, is expected to upgrade the other nine airframes for the RSAF within the next seven years. Included in the package is the replacement of cockpit flight management system with a modern glass cockpit avionics suite, central engine displays to replace analogue gauges, improved voice communications, digital autopilot, flight director as well as a digital weather radar, which will make the aircraft Global Air Traffic Management-compliant. Also, the C-130Bs will receive an auxiliary power unit and environmental control system in common with the C-130Hs. Once the upgrade is completed, this will effectively give the RSAF five KC-130Hs and five C-130Hs.
In December 2010, the RSAF issued a letter of request to inspect stored ex-US Navy P-3C Orion aircraft that have been retired from active duty. Lockheed Martin believes the RSAF has a requirement of 4 to 5 of these aircraft, which would be modernised extensively before reintroduction into active service.
On 30 June 2018, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced that the F-16's replacement will be announced soon. Meanwhile, the KC-135Rs are being replaced by the A330 MRTT while replacements for other fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters are announced.
On 18 January 2019, MINDEF officially confirmed the procurement of F-35s for a full evaluation of their capabilities and suitability before deciding on a full fleet to replace the aging F-16 fleet. On 1 March 2019, MINDEF announced that they will send a Letter of Request to purchase 4 F-35s with an option of 8 more after the evaluation. On 9 January 2020 the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency approved a possible sale to Singapore of four F-35B short takeoff and vertical landing variants with the option to purchase an additional eight F-35Bs and up to 13 Pratt & Whitney F135 engines and other related equipment for an estimated total cost of $2.75 billion. On 24 February 2023, MINDEF exercised its option and purchased an additional 8 F-35Bs currently on track for delivery by 2028, with the originally purchased 4 expected to be delivered by 2026. On 28 February 2024, Dr Ng Eng Hen announced in parliament the procurement of 8 F-35A's expected to be delivered by 2030, tallying up a total of 20 F-35's on delivery.
On 3 March 2025, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen announced that the Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft's replacement will be announced soon, with the Boeing P-8A and Airbus C295 in consideration. On 10 September 2025, new Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing informed US Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, that Singapore had decided to acquire 4 Boeing P-8As to replace the Fokker-50 Maritime Patrol Aircraft during his introductory visit to the US.
Through its social media sites, the RSAF announced on 3 November 2025 that MINDEF/SAF will replace the Hermes 450 (H450) UAV, which had been in service since 2007 and was 'becoming obsolete', with the Hermes 900 (H900) Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV).

Equipment

Aircraft

Retired aircraft

Previous aircraft operated by the RSAF consisted of the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye, Hawker Hunter F.74S, BAC Strikemaster Mk.84, BAC Jet Provost T.52A, Lockheed T-33A, A-4S Skyhawk, A-4SU Super Skyhawk, Northrop F-5S, S.211, Eurocopter AS332 Super Puma, Aérospatiale Alouette III, Bell 212, Bell UH-1H/B, the Aérospatiale AS350, Eurocopter Fennec helicopter, Cessna 172K, Short Skyvan, SIAI-Marchetti SF.260, and the Boeing KC-135.
Previous drone fleet of the RSAF included the Tadiran Mastiff, IAI Scout and IAI Searcher.

Radars

systems consist of one Lockheed Martin AN/FPS-117 unit, and a six Giraffe radar’s from Ericsson telecommunications.

Others

RSAF Black Knights

First formed in 1973 at Tengah Air Base, the Black Knights is RSAF's official aerobatic team and has been performing on an ad hoc basis since its inception, with volunteer pilots drawn from various front line squadrons within the RSAF. The aerobatics team has performed on events including the Singapore Airshow 2014.

RSAF Museum

The RSAF maintains the Air Force Museum, which was first located at Changi Air Base before it was relocated to a purpose-built building currently situated at 400 Airport Road, Singapore 534234 adjacent to Paya Lebar Air Base. The museum is open to the public and showcases the air force's history and capabilities. Exhibits include the Northrop Grumman E-2 Hawkeye and numerous A-4SU Super Skyhawk.

Tertiary institutions

The Republic of Singapore Air Force has loaned several aircraft, and aircraft parts to the tertiary institutions in Singapore, including Institute of Technical Education, Ngee Ann Polytechnic, Singapore Polytechnic, Nanyang Polytechnic and Nanyang Technological University since 2005. Aircraft includes the A-4SU Super Skyhawk.

Past symbols

Video clips

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