Singapore reportedly selects the F-35B; in no hurry to place order

F-35B Lightning II STOVL Joint Strike Fighter (Lockheed-Martin Photo)

I have written for The Diplomat on reports that Singapore has already selected the F-35B STOVL version of the Joint Strike Fighter. The piece also discusses the possible reasons behind the selection, and contains a nugget about developments in Singapore's fleet of Boeing F-15SG Eagles.

Asia-Pacific Military Aviation News roundup: 10 Sept 2013

Delayed by the grounding following a recent crash, two KAI-T-50 trainers are currently on a delivery flight to Indonesia. The two jets will make stopovers in Taiwan and the Philippines for refueling before landing on Indonesia's Iswahyudi Air Force base on Wednesday. Here's a photo of one of the Indonesian T-50s by South Korea's Yonhap news.

According to this AIP Supplement issued by Airservices Australia, Singapore's F-16s will be taking part in the upcoming Exercise Wallaby 2013 to be held at the Shoalwater Bay Training Area in Queensland, Australia. A Singapore Armed Forces annual combined arms exercise, it will also involve Singapore Air Force Super Puma, Chinook and Apache helicopters.

My latest piece for The Diplomat Magazine is up online. Aircraft Carriers or Not? Flattops in the Pacific surveys the recent proliferation of through-deck helicopters carriers in the region and looks at their potential for operating fixed wing aircraft.

Talisman Saber and America’s Pacific Pivot

My first ever piece to appear on The Diplomat, about Talisman Saber and America’s Pacific Pivot is now online. Please have a read, critique and comments welcome. Be nice, please?

As usual, a big thank you to the Royal Australian Air Force, in particular Mr. Eamon Hamilton of Air Lift Group for the opportunity to fly with the KC-30A during the refueling mission!