A Short History of the Republic of Singapore Air Force |
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Gallery Article by the Wingnuts
Singapore on Aug 9 2003 |
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Singapore National Day
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Text by Mike Yeo
Situated at an important crossroads in the
heart of Southeast Asia, Singapore is a vital economic link between the rapidly
industrialising economies of East Asia and Europe and the Middle East. Just over
600 square kilometres in area, Singapore achieved its independence from firstly,
British colonial rule and then Malaysia (Malaya) on the 9th of August 1965.
Initially, air defence responsibilities fell on the shoulders of the Royal Air
Force (RAF) with assets such as the Lightning, Javelin and Hunters in RAF
markings a common sight around Singapore's airbases. However, with economic
difficulties besetting the UK in the late 1960s, the then Labour Government in
London decided in 1971 that all British forces "East of Suez" were to
be pulled out, thrusting the responsibility of defending the small island state
on its citizens shoulders.
With the impending
British pullout imminent, the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) was set up in
1968. Pilots were initially trained with aircraft borrowed from the Singapore
Flying Club. By May 1969, eight Cessna 172s, the SADC's first aircraft, were
purchased to serve as basic trainers. These were soon followed by the Commands
first rotary winged assets, eight Aerospatiale Alouette III utility helicopters
flown by a pool of French trained pilots in 1970. The arrival of 16 BAC 167
Strikemaster trainer/light-attack aircraft in October 1969 heralded the dawn of
the SADC's jet age.
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The next big event in the
SADC's annals was the delivery of the first of 47 Hawker Hunters(34 FGA Mk74s
for ground attack, 4 FR Mk74s for recon and 9 TMk75s 2 seat trainers) from the
UK in the September of 1970. With the Five-Power Defence Arrangement (FPDA),
consisting of Singapore, Malaysia, Australia and New Zealand and the UK, being
set up in early 1971, the SADC was ready to take over the reins of Singapore's
air defence by the time of the final British pullout in September 1971. To
assert its control over its Sea Lanes of Communications (SLOC) as well as to
provide SAR assets, 6 Shorts Skyvan 3Ms joined the SADC in 1973-74. In addition
to its maritime duties, the Skyvans also performed parachute and supply dropping
tasks.
Inheriting the former RAF
bases at Tengah, Sembawang, Seletar and Changi, the SADC received a further
boost in the form of 40 ex-US Navy A-4B/C Skyhawk fighter-bombers in the April
of 1974. These aircraft were brought up to A-4S standard and with follow-up
orders, the Skyhawk is today numerically the most important aircraft in
Singapore's inventory with 150 airframes (though only 60-70 are serviceable)
serving with 3 squardrons. Further upgrades to the 'Scooters' have ensured that
the Skyhawk will be seen over Singapore's skies well into the next century. By
1975, the SADC was renamed the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and became
a seperate branch of the armed forces.
From the 1980s
onwards, the RSAF underwent great changes. Most facilities at the former RAF
base at Changi made way for the new civilian airport and transferred to the
previous civilian airport at Paya Lebar. New aircraft types such as the F-5E/F
Tiger II and S-211 advanced trainer were added in the late 1970s/early 80s.
Concurrently, a shift in emphasis from strength to technology was reflected by
reccent purchases such as the F-16 Fighting Falcon and E-2C Hawkeye Airborne
Early Warning (AEW) aircraft. At the same time, Singapore Aerospace (SAe) was
set up to undertake various projects involving the aviation industry in
Singapore. These have included upgrading the Skyhawk to the A-4SU Super Skyhawk
with a brand new avionics fit and the F-404 engine as used by the F/A-18 Hornet.
SAe has also assembled Aerospatiale AS332 Super Pumas helicopters and SIAI
Marchetti S-211 trainers for the RSAF which were delivered in kit form from
their respective manufacturers.
The 1990s
saw a dramatic expansion of the RSAF's F-16 fleet, no less than 4 separate
orders totaling 62 aircraft being made for late model Block 52/52+ F-16C/Ds. The
F-16Ds are all configured for strike missions, being equipped with the dorsal
spine found on missionised F-16Ds such as those of Israel and Greece. There were
also important additions to the helicopter fleet, with 12 CH-47D/SDs in
service/on order as well as 20 AH-64D Longbow Apaches. These mark the first
heavylift and dedicated attack helicopter capabilities within the RSAF. Another
first is the addition in 1994 of 9 Fokker 50 (4 utility/5 Maritime Patrol)
aircraft to replace the Skyvans which gave the RSAF an armed maritime patrol
capability which had been lacking in the older Skyvans.
With more F-16s on order and an avionics
upgrade project to it's fleet of F-5 Tigers ensuring that they will serve well
into this decade at the very least, the RSAF is set to enter the next century
boldly to face challenges unique to a small force. Shortage of land means that
the RSAF has had to relocate part of its training assets overseas. Training
detachments have been formed in Australia (S.211 and Super Puma), France (A-4SU
Super Skyhawk) and the United States (F-16C/D, KC-135R, AH-64D and CH-47
Chinook). Indeed, an overseas training agreement is an important pre-requisite
to the RSAF in its consideration of a Next-Generation Fighter (NGF) purchase, a
decision which is expected in 2004. At the same time it has boosted its
interaction with foreign air forces leading to a marked increase in exercises
with these foreign air forces, both locally and overseas. Indeed, US Air Force
aircraft are increasingly sighted over Singapore skies as the arrive year-round
for exercises with the RSAF. These arrivals are bound to increase as the years
go by and with peace by no means assured in a turbulent region, the RSAF has to
be on its toes to deter potential aggressors.
Special Thanks to all Wingnuts
who've contributed models to this article for National Day 2003! They are:
Kwek
- A-4S, F-5E
Jer Wei
- F-16A
Gareth
- Hunter, S.211
Sebastian
- Super Puma
Mike Yeo
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