Singapore has confirmed plans to acquire four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, as it seeks to bolster its anti-submarine capabilities.
Singapore’s decision to obtain the 737-derivative was made in a brief statement about a meeting between Singapore defence minister Chan Chun Sing and US war secretary Pete Hegseth in Washington, DC. The administration of US President Donald Trump recently changed the name of the Department of Defense to the Department of War.
The language in the release hints that Singapore may go beyond four aircraft.
“Mr Chan shared with Secretary Hegseth Singapore’s decision to acquire four Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft in the first phase of the Singapore armed forces’ refresh of our maritime security capabilities, so as to strengthen [Singapore’s] maritime situation awareness and ability to counter sub-surface threats,” says Singapore’s defence ministry.
“They will replace the existing Fokker 50s, which have been in service since 1993.”
For years there has been speculation that Singapore would update its maritime patrol capability by replacing its Fokker 50 MPA Enforcer Mk2s.
In March, then-defence minister Ng Eng Hen told the nation’s parliament that two aircraft were under consideration: the P-8A and Airbus Defence & Space C295.
Cirium, an aviation analytics company, indicates that the Republic of Singapore Air Force operates five Fokker 50s in the maritime patrol role, with an average age of 31.2 years. Four Fokker 50s also serve in the utility transport role.
A P-8A acquisition is consistent with a broad modernisation of Singapore’s navy in the 2000s. This includes the introduction of six Formidable-class frigates from 2007-2009 and the planned introduction of the Multi-Role Combat Vessel: large ships that will serve as a “mothership” for unmanned air and surface vehicles.
The nation also has plans for two additional Invincible-class submarines, which will ultimately see the country’s navy operate six of the German-produced type.
The move will make Singapore the fifth Asia-Pacific nation to order the P-8. Current P-8A operators in the region comprise Australia, New Zealand, and South Korea. India operates the P-8I Neptune derivative, which incorporates locally produced systems.
In addition, US Navy P-8As routinely operate in the Asia-Pacific.
No details were offered about the price of the acquisition or the timeline. The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) has yet to issue a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) notification about the potential deal.
The statement adds that production has commenced on Singapore’s 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighters. Singapore has orders for 12 F-35Bs, the short take-off and vertical landing variant of the fighter, and for eight F-35As, which use a conventional runway and carry a heavier payload.
In February 2024 Singapore announced its intention to obtain eight F-35As, adding to its planned 12 F-35Bs. The DSCA website has yet to issue an FMS case for this acquisition.
