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General Kelvin Fan: Singapore relies on air superiority to counter threats
Photo : CNA/Wallace Woon
“Fabien Koh, 03/02/2026, CNA”
In an interview with CNA on 2 February 2026, Major-General Kelvin Fan, Chief of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), detailed the modernisation programme aimed at strengthening deterrence, ensuring air superiority, and avoiding wars of attrition. Drawing lessons from conflicts like Russia-Ukraine, Israel-Iran, and India-Pakistan, he prioritised defence fundamentals over unproven tech fads such as AI or drone swarms.
The hybrid model blends robust military systems with affordable commercial/dual-use technologies, especially drones. Key platforms include 20 F-35B aircraft arriving late 2026 for US-based training, joining F-15SG/F-16s in the 2030s; P-8A maritime patrol replacing Fokker-50s in early 2030s for underwater detection with navy ships; C-130H upgrades; Apache life extension; Hermes 900 drones replacing Hermes 450s for endurance; and operational S-70B Seahawks, with ongoing maritime evaluations.
Central is the Integrated Air Defence (IAD) system, using multi-layered sensors, weapons, and command/control for 24/7 vigilance. Radar upgrades evaluate FPS-117 replacements (since 1998) and swap 25-year-old portable radars for Saab Giraffe 1X to better detect low-altitude/low-signature threats, integrated for rapid response in uncertain global environments.
Drones, used for 40 years, gain prominence, but Fan stressed anti-drone defences against swarms and cheap attacks, per Ukraine lessons; ground defences bolster the posture. RSAF conducts half its flight training abroad via FPDA, Elang Indopura (Indonesia), and Malsing (Malaysia) to meet top international standards.
