Singapore announces intent to procure P-8A aircraft

Singapore aims to procure four Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft as part of the first phase of the Singapore Armed Forces' refresh of its maritime security capabilities. (Boeing)

Singapore has announced that it will procure Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft to enhance the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF's) maritime patrol capabilities.

The announcement was made by Singapore Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing following a meeting with US Secretary of War Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon on 10 September.

Four P-8A aircraft will be acquired “in the first phase of the Singapore Armed Forces' (SAF's) refresh of our maritime security capabilities, so as to strengthen the SAF's maritime situation awareness and ability to counter subsurface threats”, the Singapore Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said in a statement that same day.

MINDEF added that the P-8A aircraft will replace the RSAF's ageing fleet of five Fokker 50 maritime patrol aircraft, which were inducted into service from 1993. The SAF was also evaluating the Airbus C295 as a possible replacement for the Fokker fleet, as disclosed by former Singapore Minister for Defence Ng Eng Hen in March 2025.

According to Chan, Singapore's order of Lockheed Martin F-35A/B Lightning II aircraft is also progressing.

In February 2024, Singapore announced that it would acquire eight F-35A conventional take-off and landing (CTOL) aircraft on top of 12 F-35B short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft already on contract. According to Chan, production of the 20 F-35 aircraft has commenced, with the programme “on track” for deliveries from late 2026.

Janes previously reported that Singapore sought to procure a new maritime patrol aircraft with superior performance over the Fokker 50 to allow the SAF to strengthen its maritime security measures.