SINGAPORE: A Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) F-16 jet crashed at Tengah Air Base shortly after taking off on Wednesday afternoon (May 8).
The plane experienced "an issue" during take-off at about 12.35pm, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).
"The pilot successfully ejected and the plane crashed thereafter within Tengah Air Base," the ministry added.
"The pilot is conscious and able to walk. He is receiving medical attention. No other personnel is hurt."
MINDEF said investigations are ongoing, adding that it will provide updates on the incident as soon as they become available.
Singapore has operated the F-16 for more than 30 years.
The fleet was recently upgraded to improve their capabilities and keep them operationally ready until the mid-2030s.
These improvements include the Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar which allows the F-16 to track and engage multiple targets from farther away, as well as an all-weather, ground-attack capability that enables it to strike targets with more capable precision munitions.
The ageing F-16 fleet will eventually be replaced by the F-35 family of Lockheed Martin jets.
Singapore announced in February that it would buy eight F-35A jets, adding to an earlier order of 12 F-35 jets of the “B” variant.
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The plane experienced "an issue" during take-off at about 12.35pm, said the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF).
"The pilot successfully ejected and the plane crashed thereafter within Tengah Air Base," the ministry added.
"The pilot is conscious and able to walk. He is receiving medical attention. No other personnel is hurt."
MINDEF said investigations are ongoing, adding that it will provide updates on the incident as soon as they become available.
Singapore has operated the F-16 for more than 30 years.
The fleet was recently upgraded to improve their capabilities and keep them operationally ready until the mid-2030s.
These improvements include the Active Electronically Scanned Array Radar which allows the F-16 to track and engage multiple targets from farther away, as well as an all-weather, ground-attack capability that enables it to strike targets with more capable precision munitions.
The ageing F-16 fleet will eventually be replaced by the F-35 family of Lockheed Martin jets.
Singapore announced in February that it would buy eight F-35A jets, adding to an earlier order of 12 F-35 jets of the “B” variant.
Continue reading...