Singapore to Commence F-35B Jet Negotiations after US Congress Notification Passage

Singapore plans to commence F-35 fighter jet purchase negotiations with the US Department of Defence (DoD) after the  passage of the 30 day notice to the US Congress given by the DoD.

“It is routine and (US) Congress has 30 days to respond to the Congressional Notification (CN). The CN is not a formal contract of purchase. If the CN passes, formal terms will be negotiated for the Letter of Offer and Acceptance,” a MINDEF statement said today.

The statement further said that on 5 April 2019, MINDEF submitted a request to purchase F-35Bs from the US - to acquire four planes with an option of an additional eight more, subsequently.

The Congressional Notification (CN) of Singapore's request of purchase adheres to the formal requirement within the US for possible sale of military equipment to foreign countries.

The F-35B Short Take-off and Vertical Landing (STOVL) version is the most expensive F-35 jet meant for operations from limited spaces. Singapore’s decision may have been guided by the lack of extensive military airfield infrastructure on the island.