Singapore will acquire three maritime surveillance aircraft, based on the Gulfstream G550 business jet.
The country’s Ministry of Defence on 27 February published a fact sheet on the G550 Maritime Surveillance Aircraft (G550-MSA), describing the twinjet as providing early warning of maritime threats and enhancing awareness in the maritime domain.
Notably, the new acquisition will be in addition to Singapore’s planned buy of four P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol jets from Boeing.
“The G550-MSA will complement the Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft as part of Singapore’s maritime security surveillance network to better protect Singapore and our sea lines of communication from maritime security threats,” the defence ministry says.
In a speech before Singapore’s parliament, defence minister Chan Chun Sing laid out the rationale for the move.
”Having robust conventional capabilities remains core to a strong and credible deterrence,” says Chan.
”We must continue to modernise and upgrade them to keep pace with the threats around us. For example, the Republic of Singapore Air Force will acquire three Gulfstream G550-maritime surveillance aircraft to complement the Boeing P-8A maritime patrol aircraft. This supports the [Singapore military’s] mission in safeguarding Singapore’s sea lines of communication as part of Singapore’s maritime security surveillance network.”
Each jet will be equipped with a maritime search radar, electro-optical/infrared sensors, and communication and identification systems that will allow the crew of two pilots and six systems officers to simultaneously detect, identify and track multiple targets.
There is no indication that the G550-MSA will be armed, as is the P-8A.
Notably, the Republic of Singapore Air Force already operates four G550s adapted for airborne early warning and control tasks.
Also in the intelligence, surveillance and reconaissance front, Singapore has introduced the Elbit Systems Hermes 900 uncrewed aircraft as a replacement for the Hermes 450.
The addition of a long-endurance surveillance platform to complement the Poseidon is in-line with the approach being taken by other P-8A operators. Canada plans to field 11 uncrewed General Atomics Aeronautical Systems MQ-9B SeaGuardians alongside its 16 P-8As.
Ottawa says the long-endurance MQ-9Bs will be be responsible for tedious and time consuming patrol missions, allowing the crewed P-8As to respond to specific threats or investigate suspicious activity once it has been identified.
The US Navy is pursuing a similar tack, using the Northrop Grumman MQ-4C Triton uncrewed patrol platform to supplement its manned P-8As.
Converting business jets into military aircraft for special missions like maritime patrol has emerged as an increasingly popular choice for operators around the world.
In addition to being commercially available with existing sustainment infrastructure worldwide, business jets offer increased range and flight performance compared to the turboprop and transport types that were typically used for special missions in the past.
Gulfstream has seen repeated success in offering the G550 for special mission conversions, including the EA-37B Compass Call, which is being acquired by the US Air Force and Italy.
L3Harris is the systems integrator for the platform, while BAE Systems provides the sensitive electronic warfare and communications mission package.
Australia’s MC-55 Peregrine long-range surveillance aircraft – another L3Harris project – is also based on the G550.
The US Army is pursuing its own fleet of long-range intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance jets based on the Bombardier Global 6500.
Most business jet conversions require substantial modification to the outer mould shape of the aircraft, which allow for the addition of custom-built sensor packages, tailored for the jet’s particular mission set.
Updated with number of G550-MSAs to be obtained, Chan Chun Sing’s remarks, and Singapore’s Hermes 900 introduction.
