US approves sale of 12 F-35 fighter jets to Singapore
- The city state is a key prize for global arms companies as it looks to replace its ageing F-16 fleet
- Singapore’s defence ministry said formal terms of the deal would be negotiated after approval from Congress
The city state said last year it planned to buy an initial four F-35s from Lockheed Martin Corp, with an option for eight more, as it looks to replace its ageing F-16 fleet.
“The State Department has made a determination approving a possible foreign military sale to Singapore of up to twelve F-35B … aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of US$2.750 billion,” the DSCA said in a statement, adding it had notified Congress of a possible sale.
The DSCA said the sale would involve equipment from Lockheed and engine maker Pratt and Whitney. The F-35B variant of the jet can handle short take-offs and vertical landings, attributes seen as benefiting land-scarce Singapore.
Singapore’s defence ministry said formal terms of the purchase would be negotiated after approval from Congress.
The Pentagon in October announced F-35 jet prices for the next three years, which lowered the cost of the jet by 13 per cent, a move seen as encouraging other countries to buy the aircraft.