Singapore to buy US aircraft, torpedoes to boost Asia maritime security
Pending US Congress approval, the US$2.3 billion Boeing P-8A deal announced at Pentagon talks will upgrade Singapore’s anti-submarine capabilities
“The proposed sale will improve Singapore’s capability to meet current and future threats by providing a credible maritime force capable of deterring adversaries,” the US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in a statement.
It will “enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Asia”, DSCA added.
The US State Department approved the possible sale of the equipment to Singapore, and DSCA provided the required notification to the US Congress, which still needs to sign off on the transaction.
Designed for maritime patrol, the aircraft comes equipped with anti-submarine warfare capabilities. Its suite of sensors and radar systems allows it to be deployed in a range of maritime missions.
It can also be deployed for search and locate missions and is fitted with advanced avionics featured in the civil Boeing 737 aircraft.