[ CNA ] RSAF to fly F-16 fighter jets for ‘at least’ another decade, following F-35 developments ‘closely’: Air force chief

“We will continue to operate these (F-16) fighter aircraft for at least another decade and are working towards replacing the F-16s at the end of their operational life,” MG Khong said in written responses to questions posed in conjunction with this year’s Singapore Airshow.

MG Khong said the RSAF’s fleet of F-16C/Ds is being upgraded in phases, and it has started taking delivery of the upgraded F-16s in June 2021.

“Subsequent deliveries will be rolled out progressively to ensure that the RSAF continues to have a capable fleet of fighter aircraft to meet our defence requirements,” he said.

The F-16 upgrades started in 2016, the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said in a fact sheet previously, and was expected to take place over five or six years.

The upgrades include a new Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar to allow the F-16 to track and engage multiple targets from farther away, as well as an all-weather, ground-attack capability that enables it to strike targets with more capable precision munitions.

Modern advanced air-to-air weapons will equip the aircraft with the capability to engage a wide spectrum of air threats within visual ranges, while a datalink capability and advanced helmet mounted display will provide the pilot with greater situational awareness.

MINDEF said last June that the Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas has been selected as the preferred location for RSAF’s F-35B fighter training detachment. RSAF’s F-16 fighter training detachment at Luke Air Force Base in Arizona would also be relocated to the Ebbing base.

MG Khong said on Monday that the final decision is pending the US Department of the Air Force’s conduct of an environmental impact assessment on whether the Ebbing base can support RSAF’s requirements.

Co-locating RSAF’s F-35Bs and F-16 aircraft will maximise opportunities for integrated training between its fourth- and fifth-generation fighter aircraft, and enable joint training and exchanges with the US Air Force and US Marine Corps F-35s, MG Khong said.

MG Khong also revealed that Selfridge Air National Guard Base at Harrison Township, Michigan, has been established as an alternate location.

“We will continue to work closely with relevant agencies on the basing and will provide more information in due time,” he added.