
It is doubly unfortunate that Lockheed Martin has pulled out of the Singapore Airshow. There would undoubtedly have been some celebrations within its smart and prominent chalet, to mark the recent and significant milestone in Singapore’s quest to acquire F-35 stealth fighters. Instead, the chalet is locked, and the full-scale model that is usually on show outside lay unassembled nearby in four large shipping containers until just before the show opened.
Singapore joined the F-35 program in 2003, paying to become a Security Cooperation Participant. This enabled it to receive detailed program status and classified performance information. But it was not until March last year that Defence Minister Dr. Ng Eng Hen announced that it would purchase four jets “for evaluation,” with an option for eight more. A letter of interest followed, and the purchase moved forward last month when the Pentagon sent the formal notification of the proposed sale to Congress.