Singapore will acquire four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft to strengthen its maritime security capabilities, the country’s defence ministry announced on Wednesday.
The aircraft will replace the ageing Fokker 50 planes that have been in service since 1993, marking the first phase of a broader refresh of the Singapore Armed Forces’ maritime surveillance and patrol fleet. The ministry did not disclose the value of the deal, and Boeing has yet to comment.
Defence Minister Chan Chun Sing said the acquisition complements Singapore’s ongoing modernisation programme, noting that production of the 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets the city-state has on order has already begun, with deliveries expected to start in late 2026.
Chan made the announcement during a visit to Washington, where he met U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the Pentagon. Hegseth welcomed him to what he described as the “newly minted Department of War,” referencing U.S. President Donald Trump’s order to rename the Department of Defense, a change that would require congressional approval.
The P-8A Poseidon, already used by the U.S. Navy and several allied forces, is equipped for anti-submarine warfare, intelligence gathering, and long-range maritime patrols, making it a significant boost to Singapore’s defence posture in strategically vital waters.
Source: Reuters
Written By Rodney Mbua
