photo – Chen Chuanren
This week’s Singapore Airshow has proven something of a showcase for the city-state’s capable Air Force.
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is arguably South-East Asia’s most capable, well-equipped and best-trained air arm, with an order of battle that is not dissimilar to Australia’s in term’s of capabilities and numbers.
These photos from Singaporean photographer Chen Chuanren highlight some of those capabilities, both in a pre-airshow air-to-air photography session and from the airshow itself. photo – Chen Chuanren
Mainstay of the RSAF fighter force is its 60 single-seat F-16Cs and two-seat F-16Ds. photo – Chen Chuanren
They are augmented by around 40 F-15SG Strike Eagles, which provide the RSAF with a long-range strike capability. photo – Chen Chuanren
Rotary-wing capabilities include the AH-64D Apache, AS332 Super Puma and the CH-47SD Chinook. photo – Chen Chuanren
During the airshow the RSAF revealed a specially-painted F-15SG to commemorate its 50th anniversary. photo – Chen Chuanren
Other airpower capabilities at the show include the F-35B Lightning II and F-22 Raptor. photo – Chen Chuanren
While this P-8A Poseidon has been flying the flag for Australia and the RAAF. photo – Chen Chuanren
This Royal Malaysian Air Force Sukhoi Su-30MKM had heads turned skywards. photo – Chen Chuanren
While on the ground the Chinese Wing Loong II armed UAV has also caught the attention of show goers (note the RAAF Wedgetail it is parked next to). photo – Chen Chuanren
There is certainly plenty to see on the ground… photo – Chen Chuanren
…but it is in the skies where the real action takes place. photo – Chen Chuanren
Was speaking to the Singaporeans last time they were at Avalon, and I first commended him on what a truely formidable force they have. He reciprocated back and was very impressed with all our enablers and our force was. Imagine the RAAF and RSAF combined? Not bad at all.
PAUL
says:
Awesome but no RAAF Fast jets present? or an RNZAF 757 emulating a B1 at low level….
frank
says:
Re runways, the same would apply in any country and Singapore have a number of roads that can be converted to emergency airstrips and they practice landing both F16s and F15s from them 🙂 Last xercise was around 2016 on Lim Chu Kang Road
Tom
says:
Absolutely loved The Black Knights at Avalon a few years ago, totally awesome stuff.
Allan
says:Well done RSAF and congrats on your 50th
Paul
says:They have a vey capable fighting force the Sings do. Great array of fast jets in there too.
Philip
says:Congratulations to the RSAF on their 50th anniversary!
A truly formidable force also.
Tc
says:Congratulations!
But once the runways are damaged, all the mighty planes have no place to go home, ha ha…
Paul
says:Was speaking to the Singaporeans last time they were at Avalon, and I first commended him on what a truely formidable force they have. He reciprocated back and was very impressed with all our enablers and our force was. Imagine the RAAF and RSAF combined? Not bad at all.
PAUL
says:Awesome but no RAAF Fast jets present? or an RNZAF 757 emulating a B1 at low level….
frank
says:Re runways, the same would apply in any country and Singapore have a number of roads that can be converted to emergency airstrips and they practice landing both F16s and F15s from them 🙂 Last xercise was around 2016 on Lim Chu Kang Road
Tom
says:Absolutely loved The Black Knights at Avalon a few years ago, totally awesome stuff.
Paul
says:PAUL,the RAAF were going to bring a Growler over but because of the incident at Nellis, they cancelled it.
PAUL
says:Shame that a brand new Growler has become a Griller…
Paul
says:PAUL, haha yeah, would have looked funny on the static display line?