Singapore Expects First Upgraded F-16 Jets to Fly Next Year

23 Februari 2020

Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array (AESA) radar (photo : Northrop Grumman)

MELBOURNE, Australia — Singapore expects to have its first upgraded F-16 multi-role fighter jet roll off the line sometime next year, with its air force chief confirming that work will be carried out locally.

Addressing written questions put to him by Defense News prior to the Singapore Airshow, Major-General Kelvin Khong wrote that prototyping work in the United States, led by F-16 manufacturer Lockheed-Martin, is ongoing.

He also confirmed that serial production has commenced locally on the project, with ST Engineering Aerospace undertaking the effort with the first upgraded aircraft “expected to be rolled out around 2021."

Khong did not say when the upgrade project will be completed. Singapore’s defense minister had said in 2015 that the planned end date was 2022, although this now appears to be unlikely.

RSAF F-16D (photo : dominique koel)

Singapore was cleared by the U.S. State Department to upgrade its fleet of 40 F-16C/D Block 52 and 20 F-16D Advanced Block 52 aircraft in January 2014. The U.S. $2.43 billion upgrade package includes the Northrop Grumman AN/APG-83 active electronically scanned array radar, mission computers, helmet mounted sights and integration of new weapons such as the GBU-38 Joint Direct Attack Munition (JDAM), GBU-49/50 Enhanced Paveway II dual-mode guided bombs, and CBU-105 Sensor-Fuzed Weapon.

The request also included the integration of the AIM-9X Sidewinder agile dogfight missile and Joint Helmet Mounted-Cueing System (JHMCS). The latter will replace the Israeli Elbit DASH (Display and Sight Helmet) currently in use by the RSAF’s Vipers, and like the AIM-9X, will allow for compatibility with the RSAF’s 40 Boeing F-15SG Eagles.

A follow-on FMS request worth $130 million (A$179 million) was issued to in supplement the earlier request; this time for advanced datalinks and integration of the low-collateral damage Small Diameter Bomb.

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