Singaporean Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing confirmed during his official visit to Lockheed Martin's F-35 production facility in Fort Worth, Texas on September 12 that Singapore's first F-35 fighter jet remains on track for delivery by the end of 2026.
The Ministry of Defence reaffirmed Singapore's commitment to acquiring 20 fifth-generation stealth F-35 aircraft to replace the Republic of Singapore Air Force's aging F-16 fleet, which has been in service since 1998.
Chan was accompanied by Chief of Air Force Major-General Kelvin Fan during the facility tour, where he received briefings on the F-35 program, aircraft capabilities, and production processes for Singapore's aircraft currently being built.
The Defense Minister emphasized that production of all 20 F-35s has officially commenced and is progressing according to schedule, with the stealth fighters set to put the RSAF "in the premier league" when they become operational.
This acquisition represents a major milestone for Singapore's defense capabilities, as the F-35 Lightning II will significantly enhance the nation's air power projection and maintain regional security stability in Southeast Asia.
