SINGAPORE is set to acquire additional AGM-114R Hellfire air-to-surface missiles after the United States Department of State approved a potential Foreign Military Sale (FMS) valued at US$22.3 million for the missiles. It adds on to an earlier package which had been valued at US$12.4M, below the threshold requiring notification to US Congress.
The approval allows Singapore to possibly procure an additional 24 AGM-114R Hellfires along with related support services and equipment, bringing the total package to 67 missiles. In a statement, the republic’s defence ministry (MINDEF) said the missiles are to be equipped on the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s (RSAF) AH-64D Apache attack helicopters and will support the RSAF’s routine training and operational requirements.”
The statement added, “MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) takes a strategic long-term view on our defence acquisitions to ensure that we make prudent and cost-effective decisions that best meet our defence needs, and maintain operational readiness.”
The original sale included personnel training and training equipment, US Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services, and other related elements of logistics and programme support. The principal contractor of the deal would be Lockheed Martin.
The US statement stated, “This notification is for a combined total of sixty-seven (67) Hellfire missiles (AGM-114R). The following non-MDE items will also be included: five (5) years of AGM-114R Hellfire spare parts; Hellfire technical manual; reprogramming of M299 launchers; return and repair material and services; technical publications; unguided munitions and services; software verification and calibration of AN/AWM-101; Hellfire missiles and support equipment; chaff, flares, and technical assistance; US Government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistics support services; and other related elements of logistics and program support. The estimated total cost is $22.3 million.”
Earlier in June, the US approved another request from Singapore to upgrade its M142 High Mobility Artillery Rocket Systems (HIMARS) systems in a deal estimated around US$73M. Singapore had requested to purchase 18 Common Fire Control Systems (CFCS) upgrade kits for the HIMARS. The CFCS allows operators to control weapons, regulate power and ultimately launch the rockets from the vehicle.
“The HIMARS is a land-based precision strike asset that has been in service with the Singapore Armed Forces since 2010. As the Singapore Armed Forces continues its modernisation efforts, the HIMARS remains a critical component of its operational capabilities, and will undergo upgrades to ensure it remains capable of meeting evolving operational and training requirements in the years ahead”, another Singapore defence ministry statement added.
The US State Department statement said the that the decision to sell the upgrade kits will not alter the basic military balance in the region but “enhance the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Asia.”
In April, Singapore had also received US approval for M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System-Alternative Warhead (GMLRS-AW) pods and related equipment for an estimated US83.14M. The M30A2 GMLRS-AW can be fired from the HIMARS with 6 rockets per launch pod and 1 pod carried by each HIMARS.–-shp/adj/dl (Pix:DVIDS)
