of the SAF to develop and align the command’s
capabilities to the required level of air superiority.
Similarly, taking ODG’s doctrines as a guideline,
the ISDG studies the integration and concept of
operations, systems development and ‘jointness’,
and seeks to optimise cross-domain and cross-
functional synergy for air power employment.
An emblematic exercise that executes some
ODG and ISDG doctrines and capabilities is
Forging Sabre, held biennially in the US. This
proof-of-concept exercise brings together the
RSAF’s four detachments in the Continental
United States: Peace Carvin II (F-16C/D),
Peace Carvin V (F-15SG), Peace Vanguard
(AH-64D) and Peace Prairie (CH-47D).
The 2015 and 2017 editions of the exercise
brought the recently introduced Heron 1
unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) element to
the wargame, and the drone was used to
integrate with the FG’s F-15SGs, providing
co-operative lasing to simultaneously
destroy six moving targets with LJDAMs.
With the F-16 upgrade programme well
under way, the ODG and ISDG will be
keen to tap into the new and unexploredcapabilities of the F-16 and employ new
tactics, doctrines and munitions with the
F-15SG in future editions of Forging Sabre.The next decade
In September, the TG is expected to officially
accept the first of six Airbus A330 Multi-
Role Tanker Transports (MRTT) to replace the
four KC-135Rs. The RSAF’s MRTT differs
from the previous baseline aircraft with a
new standard of flight computers, structural
and aerodynamics upgrades as well as
improved on-board military systems. Since it
represents a new variant, flight testing of the
first RSAF MRTT took longer than expected.
The A330 MRTT will bring the RSAF’s strategic
reach and transport capabilities to a new level.
The aircraft’s upper deck can accommodate
380 passengers or 300 troops, while the
lower deck can carry eight military pallets or
27 standard commercial LD3 containers.
Having six aircraft rather than four will
allow the RSAF to orchestrate more
overseas exercises and HADR deployments
simultaneously, while supporting local RSAF
operations with shorter turnovers. Carrying
20% more fuel than the KC-135R, the MRTT
will allow RSAF fighters to stay aloft longer,
an especially important factor following
news that Paya Lebar – the country’s
largest air base – is due to close in 2030.
Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong announced
the closure in 2013 along with plans for the
land to be developed. This forces ACC’s
two F-15 squadrons and C-130 squadron
to move either to Changi in the east or
Tengah in the west, and preparations are
already under way at both air bases.
Changi Air Base (East) is now undergoing
redevelopment in parallel with the airport’s
Terminal 5 construction, and Tengah is set
to expand westwards by around 262 acres
(106ha), including construction of a second
runway. Within this project, the APGC
commands facility management and generation,
while the ACC is responsible for deploying
assets and establishing new doctrines.
Fighter assets will have to be prepared
to stay airborne for longer, in the event of
either airfield being unable to accept aircraft
because of weather or operational reasons.
It has long been rumoured that Singapore will
acquire the F-35 Lightning II. In February 2003,
it joined the Joint Strike Fighter programme
as a security co-operation participant
during the System Design and Development
(SDD) phase. Defence Minister, Dr Ng Eng
Hen, also witnessed demonstrations by
US Marine Corps F-35Bs in 2013 and was
briefed on the aircraft in 2015. However,
he has said the RSAF is in no hurry to
order the aircraft and is still evaluating it.
The RSAF has always been an extremely
careful and discerning buyer of military platforms,
especially new ones, and it would be no
surprise if it observes how air arms around the
world operate the Lightning II before making
any decisions. It is likely to focus on how the
aircraft integrates with current platforms and,
importantly, ensure manufacturers iron out
any remaining technical issues. With the F-15
airframe still in its first decade of service and the
F-16 undergoing a mid-life upgrade, the RSAF
might not revisit the F-35 until after 2030.AFMhttp://www.airforcesmonthly.com #361 APRIL 2018 // 47