Singapore has upgraded the island air defence (IAD) system with new capabilities in a bid to enable the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) to combat new and emerging threats more effectively.
Recently, Singapore Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen attended a demonstration of the IAD system at Lim Chu Kang Camp II.
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The RSAF closely worked with the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to integrate key components such as the Multi-Mission Radar (MMR), System for Hybrid Interceptor Knowledge of Recognised Air (SHIKRA) Radar, Smart Combat Management System (CMS) and the Aster 30 Missile System into the IAD system.
The capabilities will enable the air defence system to identify further targets and increases its firing range, enabling it to neutralise a wider spectrum of aerial threats.
Dr Ng said: “I think Singaporeans can take comfort that we have this system up. It required continuous effort, integration over 15 years, and even as we have finished this phase, we will look towards the next phase of the Island Air Defence System.
“I feel confident that we have designed it well, both from the RSAF perspective as well as DSTA and DSO…these systems will serve us for the next few decades, and it is a culmination of efforts taken over the last 20 years, just steady improvements, tightening up each piece and looking for gaps to fill.”
In January, the US State Department approved Singapore’s request to buy short take-off and vertical landing (STOVL) aircraft and related equipment. The deal was valued at nearly $2.75bn.
