Republic of Singapore Air Force

The Singapore Air Force (SAF) is the aerial warfare branch of the Singapore Armed Forces. Established on 1 September 1968, it was initially formed by the merger of the former Royal Air Force, Singapore, and the Singapore Naval Volunteer Reserve. With a primary focus on air defense, the SAF underwent significant modernization efforts, acquiring advanced aircraft and technologies. The air force started with a fleet of Hawker Hunter, BAC Strikemaster, and Cessna 172K aircraft. Over the years, it expanded its capabilities and gained proficiency in various domains such as air combat, surveillance, early warning, and aerial transport. Through strategic partnerships, the SAF has conducted joint exercises and training programs with international armed forces, enhancing its interoperability and expertise. The air force played a crucial role in providing support during natural disasters, search and rescue operations, as well as international humanitarian missions. Notably, Singapore has consistently invested in defense, enabling the SAF to maintain a modern and capable air force ready to tackle challenges in the region.

Key facts

Official Name	Republic of Singapore Air Force
Country	🇸🇬 Singapore
World rank	#39
Active aircrafts	248 (as of 2024)
Aircrafts on order	34
Roundel

Number of active aircrafts by type

Aircraft type	Active
Combat aircrafts	100
Helicopters	83
Training	36
Tankers	11
Transport	9
Special missions	9

Aircrafts most used by Singaporean air forces

Aircraft	Active	Type
F-16 Fighting Falcon	60	American multirole fighter, famed in late Cold War conflicts, renowned for performance in precision daytime strikes and defensive counter air operations.
F-15E Strike Eagle	40	American all-weather multirole strike fighter, prominent in the Gulf War for precision strike and deep interdiction missions.
H215M / AS532 Cougar	32	French utility helicopter, notable for search and rescue missions, extensively utilized in military and civilian sectors since the 1970s.
CH-47 Chinook	20	American tandem rotor helicopter, synonymous with heavy-lift operations, crucial in conflicts including Vietnam and Afghanistan.
PC-21	19	Swiss trainer aircraft, known for deployments in military aviation schools around the world since the early 21st century.
AH-64 Apache	18	American attack helicopter, developed during the Cold War, most famous for significant deployments in Gulf War and Afghanistan conflict.
M-346 Master	12	Italian trainer jet, renowned for its advanced-technology and operational flexibility, extensively used by Israel, Italy, Singapore and Poland.
Fokker F50	9	Dutch turboprop airliner, production from 1980s-2010s, globally adopted for regional flights and maritime patrol duties.
UH-60 Black Hawk	8	American utility helicopter, renowned for service in Iraq and Afghanistan, extensively employed for troop transport and medical evacuation.
A330	6	European wide-body twin-engine jet airliner, recognized for extensive global service since the early 1990s, including both civilian and military roles.

Full inventory in 2024