Aircraft
State Department Approves F-35B for Singapore
The Republic of Singapore Air Force has selected the STOVL version of the F-35 to answer its new fighter requirement.
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B is seen at Tsuiki Airbase in Japan, where the STOVL variant has been selected to serve alongside the F-35 conventional take-off/landing version. Singapore has now also selected the F-35B. (Photo: Chen Chuanren)
A U.S. Marine Corps F-35B is seen at Tsuiki Airbase in Japan, where the STOVL variant has been selected to serve alongside the F-35 conventional take-off/landing version. Singapore has now also selected the F-35B. (Photo: Chen Chuanren)

The U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency announced that the State Department has approved the sale of 12 Lockheed Martin F-35B short takeoff/vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft to Singapore. The $2.75 billion package—announced on January 9—includes four firm orders and eight options. This will potentially make the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) the sixth F-35B operator, after the U.S. Marine Corps, United Kingdom, Italy, and the planned purchases by Japan and South Korea.