Pentagon notifies Congress of $2.75B proposed fighter jet sale to Singapore

The Trump administration has moved forward a possible $2.75 billion F-35 fighter jet sale to Singapore, formally notifying Congress of the deal on Thursday.

The sale includes four initial F-35B short take-off and vertical landing variant aircraft, with the option to acquire an additional eight as well as relevant equipment and support.

“This proposed sale will support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States,” a statement posted to the website of the Pentagon’s Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said. The DSCA handles foreign military sales.

“Singapore is a strategic friend and Major Security Cooperation Partner and an important force for political stability and economic progress in the Asia Pacific region,” it stated.

Singapore in February 2019 first announced it planned to buy the F-35s from U.S. manufacturer Lockheed Martin Corp as it looks to replace its current F-16 fleet.

The country’s roughly 60 F-16 jets entered service in 1998 but will be retired shortly after 2030.

Singapore joins the 10 other foreign militaries that have decided or are seeking to add the advanced fighter jet into its arsenal.

The United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Belgium, Italy, the Netherlands, Denmark, Norway, South Korea and Israel all buy the aircraft. Turkey was barred from purchasing the aircraft last year over its decision to buy the Russian-made S-400 air defense missile system. 

Canada is part of the international Joint Strike Fighter consortium, but has not yet decided on whether to buy the fighter jet, and the Trump administration in September approved a potential $6.5 billion sale of F-35 fighter jets to Poland.