Singapur otro mas al P8.
Singapore has decided to acquire the Boeing P-8A Poseidon multi-mission maritime patrol aircraft, according to a statement from the Southeast Asian nation.
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence said in a news release that Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing told U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth about the decision during a meeting at the Pentagon on September 9.
The release said that Singapore will acquire four P-8As as the first phase of Singapore’s recapitalization of its maritime security capabilities, which seek to strengthen its maritime situation awareness and ability to counter sub-surface threats.
It is unclear what the future phases of Singapore’s efforts to refresh its maritime security capabilities would entail.
The P-8As will replace five Fokker 50 maritime patrol aircraft currently operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force. Singapore had said in March that it was considering the P-8A, alongside the Airbus C-295, as its next maritime patrol aircraft.
Singapore has made a number of naval-related acquisitions in recent years. It is taking delivery of six Invincible-class diesel-electric submarines from Germany’s TKMS and will be introducing six multi-role combat vessels and four offshore patrol vessels in the coming years.
It is also upgrading its six existing Formidable-class frigates, including the installation of the Blue Spear anti-ship missiles.
Singapore’s economy is heavily dependent on its busy ports and the island nation is located at the narrow choke point where the Straits of Malacca meet the South China Sea, which are heavily trafficked by commercial shipping plying the shipping lanes between Asia and the Middle East as well as Europe.
Additionally, the MoD statement noted that the first of 20 F-35s for Singapore is under production, with delivery “on track” for end of 2026.