Originally posted by nWo:Who is this Dr Paul Mitchell talking about SG getting involveg in the Korean conflict .
Source: Radio Singapore International
[b]Pentagon announces possible fighter aircraft sale to Singapore
August 23, 2005
Click to listen to interview
The Pentagon notified the US Congress yesterday of a possible sale of F-15 fighter aircraft to Singapore.
The proposed deal, worth some 741 million dollars includes air-to-air missiles , satellite guided bombs logistics and training.
Boeing's F-15 fighter jet is vying with the French-made Rafale to replace Singapore's Super Skyhawk fighter jets.
When contacted by 938 Live, Singapore's Ministry of Defense said that they are still in the process of selecting the appropriate aircraft.
So how would the United States' benefit from its proposed aircraft and weapons sale to Singapore?
Melanie Yip put this question to Dr Paul Mitchell, Visiting Senior Fellow at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore.
PM: Well, essentially any time one of the United States' partners buys a significant piece of military technology like a fighter weapon system, like a ship or like a tank, it enables the United States to inter-operate with that nation in a much more efficient fashion. Obviously, it is in the United States' interest to see as many of partners and allies around the world operate with American weapons systems, so that if they are operating in the region, in terms of strict military operations, exercises or any other humanitarian operations, it is far more effective for the Americans to work with those forces. So this is part and parcel of that strategy irrespective of the industrial benefits that accrue to the Americans, there are significant operational benefits that are accrued to it when they work with American weapons systems.
And as you talk about the issue of interoperability with the US forces for coalition operations, how does the North Korea proposed nuclear weapons program issue factor into the US' proposed weapons and aircraft sales?
PM: I'm not sure that there is a strict relationship between the decision to go with the F-15 variant here. However, it does bear some interesting examples. In particular, the Koreans are operating a variant of the F-15 or will be operating a variant of the F-15 in the future. [u][b]And obviously, if Singapore were to become involved in the conflict on the Korean Peninsula, in support of American and Korean security, then it would be in a much better position to contribute in a more significant fashion to air operations.[/u] [/b]
Under the proposed weapons and aircraft transaction with Singapore by the United States, some of the weapons included in the sale are Advanced Medium Range Air-to-Air Missiles, Joint Direct Attack Munition, Joint Standoff Weapons etc. Under what circumstances are these defense mechanisms of the weapons used?
PM: The types of weapons that are being acquired, or being under discussions of being acquired, in particular the Joint Direct Attack Munition and the Joint Standoff Weapons are both long range, precision guided munitions, and in particular, the AGM 154A Joint Standoff Weapon is one which drops multiple bomblets out of it. So it is extremely useful in taking out large concentrations of troops and armor. [b]So this is an important contribution, from Singapore's part, if it found itself working with the United States and the Koreans in any sort of contingency within Korea. [/b]
How will the proposed transaction of weapons and aircraft to Singapore by the United States contribute to the Republic's efforts in maintaining both aviation and maritime security in the Malacca Straits?
PM: Well, the types of systems that we are talking about here in terms of the F-15, the Joint Standoff Weapons, the Joint Direct Attack Munitions probably will not have a direct role in contributing the recent agreement signed by Singapore, Indonesia and Malaysia. In that respect, the current weapons system such as the E2 Hawk Eyes that Singapore operates in terms of control of air space would be far more effective in maintaining aviation security. It is possible that an F-15 might be used to investigate suspicious air contact and ultimately may shoot it down, but in that respect, the F-16s would also be contributing to that particular contingency. And the types of weapons that we're looking at is that Singapore is looking to acquiring with the F-15s at the moment probably would not be the ones used to shoot down any aviation threats, maybe except the AIM 9X sidewinders. Again, a lot of these things are hitting the fly with a very large hammer, there are more effective ways in terms of providing aviation security. Obviously, these things all help, but with the economy of resources, it is more likely that the air force would choose to deploy other assets in contributing to that particular mission.
Dr Paul Mitchell from at the Institute of Defense and Strategic Studies in Singapore. He was speaking with Melanie Yip.
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The geo-political reality might end up with our forces deployed overseas in a combat capacity over the next few decades.I wouldn't rule it out.Originally posted by storm_freaky13:He is hinting that SIngapore might be involved should there be a korean war. dunno to be happy or sad... happy that our army can be battle tested and gain very valuable experience but damn sad if people die. omg.if the armed forces really go... please comeback in one piece alive. i believe if go i will kenna too.
niway F-15 damn old platform leh... i prefer the rafale... although i was rooting for Typhoon at first but dropped due to price![]()
pap will lose its pillar of support if they really do that.Originally posted by LazerLordz:The geo-political reality might end up with our forces deployed overseas in a combat capacity over the next few decades.I wouldn't rule it out.
Take a look at our current long-range strike assets and naval modernisation, look at the rumoured further purchases of air or ground launched standoff and ABM systems..and go further and see the evolution of the RSAF into a force capable of long range support...
You never know where we will go..
Originally posted by nWo:
Source: Forbes.com
[b]AFX News Limited
Pentagon preparing munitions deal to support possible F-15 sale to Singapore
08.22.2005, 08:54 PM
WASHINGTON (AFX) - The Pentagon notified the US Congress of plans to sell Singapore up 741 mln usd worth of weapons, equipment and training as part of a proposed sale of F-15 fighters to the republic.
The weapons include advanced supersonic air-to-air missiles and satellite-guided bombs.
Boeing's F-15 fighter jet is vying with French-made Rafale to replace a squadron of Singapore's A4SU Super Skyhawk fighter jets, a deal estimated to be worth 1 bln usd.
If Singapore selects the F-15, it will purchase the airframes and engines commercially.
'This proposed sale includes weapons and logistics for the F-15 aircraft,' the Defense Security and Cooperation Agency said in a statement.
The defense agency said the proposed sale of weapons and logistics for the aircraft was worth 741 mln usd if all options are exercised.
jm/kd/tr
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Originally posted by sg1960:estimated 1 billion, read the post again
[b]
If US $ 741 millions is JUST for the weapons, equipment and training.![]()
Then how much is the F 15 aircrafts going to cost SG !!!!.
.[/b]
interesting,Originally posted by BeEtHoVeN:pap will lose its pillar of support if they really do that.
look at kids being punished in school and the parents' reactions to that, just curious about something, will the ns men go or only the regulars ?
Originally posted by BeEtHoVeN:estimated 1 billion, read the post again![]()
If proposed sale of weapons and logistics for the aircraft was worth 741 mln usd
Good PointOriginally posted by Fatum:if you look at the military purchases in recent years, frigates, F16s with conformal fuel tanks, KC-135 tankers, and now, perhaps F15 long range interdictors, these are assets that'll allow us to project power far beyond our shores ... certainly more than enough, i think, to deal with the chaps to our north, i think singapore is gearing up in such a way to project power to protect the sea lanes of communications in the south china sea. there's only one power on the ascendent in the south china sea right now; China. i think we're configuring our forces so as to protect our interest in the event of a showdown in the south china sea between the bigger powers
but on the other hand, as for getting involved in a korean conflict, i think that's highly unlikely, if not impossible, north east asian is far off the radar screen of our interests, and i seriously doubt we would take sides in a showdown between super-powers (china and the US ) unless we absolutely have to, like it or not, north korea still exist only because it is in china's interest to be so. a korean conflict would be a full out total war, and any singaporean troops sent there will be up against a trained army, not the wayang show militiamen of east timor. would we take such a risk ? ... i don't think so, the combat experience that perhaps might be gained would be far outweighted by the political costs, both abroad and at home .... best watch the show on CNN and learn from there ...
if ns men are involved too, dun think the governemnt will actually send forces over to fight for other countries, still they may send support ships or usage of bases in singapore.Originally posted by AF2005:interesting,
we go by active units and reservist units. one active and one reservist/NS.
regulars, NSF or NS does not matter. go by unit.
they are all ready. just like US in iraq, mixed reservist and active.
Singapore looking to get at LEAST 20 aircraft ( if based on the proposed package. )Originally posted by Fatum:looking at the numbers, my guess would be an initial 8 F-15Ts ... and with JSOWs, AIM-9Xs ... and AMMRAM Cs .....wow ! ... i think our strategic relationship with the US might be a lot deeper than it appears .... JSOW certainly would be a new capability for the region ....
Originally posted by sg1960:yups, but i don't think we won't get them all at once initially ... (unlike our neighbours ... ) ... that will drain off too big a chunk of our overall goverment budget (fighters would be extraordinary expenses outside of the defense budget) .... that package of equipment is probably for an initial 8-10 aircraft ..
[b]Singapore looking to get at LEAST 20 aircraft ( if based on the proposed package. )
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Originally posted by Fatum:yups, but i don't think we won't get them all at once initially ... (unlike our neighbours ... ) ... that will drain off too big a chunk of our overall goverment budget (fighters would be extraordinary expenses outside of the defense budget) .... that package of equipment is probably for an initial 8-10 aircraft ..
Originally posted by sg1960:Note the lines.
[b]
8 to 10 aircraft need the support package that is worth US $720 milions
No , that package is for tailored for at LEAST 20 or more Eagles .
Look at the package, the details clearly indicated as such.
As for the AGM / bombs , the intial nos are just a only a starter .
.
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If SG do not have the interest or intention of getting 20 or Eagles , then why SG request a support package for that nos. of aircraft.Originally posted by |-|05|:Note the lines.
If all options are exercised.
Meaning the max sale would be worth USD 720 million