Singapore Seeks Weapons, Training for New F-15s
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Singapore’s decision to buy the F-15SG Strike Eagle as a replacement for its A-4SU Super Skyhawks has already sparked one weapons purchase to outfit the new aircraft. The August 2005 DSCA request mostly involved air-air weapons, plus ancillary equipment and a handful of JDAM and JSOW precision weapons. Now the DSCA reports that Singapore has submitted a request for another handful of precision strike weapons, and a lot of training assistance “to support its F-15 aircraft”.
The proposed sale is worth up to $200 million, and the principal contractors will be F-15 primes Boeing Integrated Defense Solutions of St. Louis, MO and General Electric Aircraft Engines Division of Cincinnati, OH. Components of the request include:
- 28 GBU-10 Paveway II laser-guided 2,000 pound (Mk84) bombs
- 56 GBU-12 Paveway II laser-guided 500 pound (Mk82) bombs
- 126,000 20mm Practice Round Cartridges for the F-15SG’s 20mm vulcan cannon
- 14,000 BDU-33 Bomb Practice trainers
- 1,500 MK-84 Bomb Practice trainers
- 1,500 MK-82 Bomb Practice trainers
The request also has a strong training services component. Singapore already trains in the USA, and even bases a number of key aircraft there; its CH-47 Chinook squadron was able to be one of the first units on the scene after Hurricane Katrina because they train nearby. The city-state is also requesting a continental United States PEACE CARVIN V aircrew proficiency training program for its F-15s, which will give Singapore’s pilots ample room to fly, as well the opportunity to train with US units.
Finally, there is a maintenance component to ensure that its new F-15SG aircraft are properly looked after. Their request includes logistics support for F-15 aircraft to include flight training support equipment, software development/integration, modification kits, spares and repair parts, maintenance, flight test instrumentation, publications and technical documentation, personnel training and training equipment, U.S. Government and contractor technical and logistics personnel services, and other related elements of logistical and program support. See Aug 24/07 DSCA release [PDF format].
Note that Paveway laser-guided weapons can be made by Raytheon or Lockheed Martin. Practice bombs and 20mm practice ammunition, meanwhile, tend to come from General Dynamics.
