Republic of Singapore Air Force | |
---|---|
Angkatan Udara Republik Singapura (Malay) 新加坡空军部队 (Chinese) சிங்கப்பூர் ஆகாயப்படை (Tamil) | |
![]() Crest of the Republic of Singapore Air Force | |
Founded | 1 September 1968 |
Country | ![]() |
Type | Air force |
Role | Aerial warfare |
Size | 6,000 active personnel[1] 7,500 reserve personnel[1][2] |
Part of | Singapore Armed Forces |
Motto(s) | "Above All" |
March | "Republic of Singapore Air Force March" |
Engagements | |
Website | Official website |
Commanders | |
President of Singapore | Tharman Shanmugaratnam |
Minister for Defence | Ng Eng Hen[3] |
Chief of Defence Force | VADM Aaron Beng[3] |
Chief of Air Force | MG Kelvin Fan Sui Siong[4][3] |
Chief of Staff - Air Staff / Air Sustainability Officer | BG Ho Kum Kuen[5] |
Air Force Command Chief | ME6 Ng See Lye[4][3] |
Insignia | |
Roundel | ![]() |
Ensign | ![]() |
State Colour | ![]() |
Logo | ![]() |
Aircraft flown | |
Fighter | F-16C/D/D+, F-15SG |
Attack helicopter | AH-64D |
Patrol | G550 AEW, Fokker 50 MPA |
Reconnaissance | Heron 1, Hermes 450 |
Trainer | M346, PC-21 |
Transport | C-130 Hercules, Fokker 50 UTL, A330 MRTT, CH-47SD/F Chinook, AS332M Super Puma, H225M |
[6] The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is the aerial service branch of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) responsible for controlling and defending the airspace of the country, and providing air support to the Army and Navy. It was established in 1968 as the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) before renaming to its current name in 1975.[7]
As one of the larger and more technologically advanced air forces in Southeast Asia, the RSAF has undertaken a significant role in Singapore's military defence strategy since its formation. The RSAF is one of the more modern air forces in the region, with the ability to act as a strong deterrence from potential hostile nations as well as defending the airspace of the country.[8]
The RSAF currently has four domestic airbases – Paya Lebar, Changi, Sembawang and Tengah – as well as at the civilian airport of Seletar. The RSAF also has overseas detachments in various countries, most notably in Australia, France, Thailand and the United States. As of 2023, the RSAF has a strength of 6,000 active personnel.[1]