US approves $173 million deal to upgrade S'pore's F-16 jets

SINGAPORE - The US has approved a US$130 million (S$173 million) deal to upgrade Singapore's fleet of F-16 fighter jets, announced the US Defence Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) on May 7.

DSCA said that the proposed sale will include transponders, missile launchers, global positioning systems and spare and repair parts. The deal comes with technical and logistics support services and personnel training and training equipment.

It added that the upgrade will improve reliability, supportability, and combat effectiveness concerns associated with the fighter jets.

BAE Advanced Systems, The Lockheed Martin Aeronautics Company and Boeing Integrated Defence Systems are the principal contractors in the proposal.

debwong@sph.com.sg