Over the years, Lockheed Martin has forged a dynamic relationship with government and industry in Singapore, serving both defense and civilian customers. Most recently, in 2004, Singapore became the 11th nation to participate in the F-35 Lightning II fighter program. The Republic of Singapore Air Force has been a customer of Lockheed Martin’s F-16 Fighting Falcon since 1988, and is today a customer for advanced models of the aircraft.

In 1988, Singapore took delivery of eight F-16A/Bs, and in 1998, Singapore’s Air Force accepted its first Block 52 F-16D aircraft.

In November 1999, the first new production Block 52 F-16C/D aircraft to incorporate color cockpits was delivered to Singapore as part of the Peace Carvin III program. The aircraft, an F-16C, was the first of 12 new production F-16C/D aircraft for Singapore’s Air Force delivered through the first half of 2000. The 1999–2000 delivery marked the second batch of F-16s for the Singapore Air Force that was produced in 24 months, compressed from the typical time span of 36 months. The reduction in time span was achieved through commercial practices and lean manufacturing processes.

The color displays on the F-16 aircraft for Singapore are flat-panel liquid crystal displays that are a step beyond the color displays currently available in other fighter aircraft in terms of reliability and visibility in daylight conditions. The displays were developed as part of the F-16 Mid-Life Update program for Norway, the Netherlands, Belgium and Denmark for their A/B aircraft, as well as the new production Block 20 aircraft for Taiwan. The U.S. Air Force has incorporated the color displays in its new production Block 50 F-16s.

In July 2000, Singapore announced a decision to procure an additional 20 F-16s. This was the fourth buy of the F-16 for the Republic of Singapore Air Force.

Aside from the Fighting Falcon, the Republic of Singapore Air Force is also a customer for the AH-64D Longbow Apache attack helicopters. Singapore chose the Apache in June 1999, and the eight aircraft are equipped with Lockheed Martin’s Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS), the Longbow Fire Control Radar and Hellfire II missiles.

The TADS/PNVS and Longbow Radar enable Apache pilots to fly at very low altitudes in total darkness and in poor weather, see ground targets and destroy them at standoff ranges using Hellfire missiles. The Hellfire II missile achieves pinpoint accuracy by homing in on reflected laser energy aimed at the target from the TADS laser designator/rangefinder. The Hellfire II defeats advanced armor in the presence of severe electro-optical countermeasures. In 2001, Singapore ordered an additional 12 AH-64D Apaches.

In April 2006, Lockheed Martin was selected by The Boeing Company as the preferred supplier of advanced electro-optical sensor suites for the Republic of Singapore Air Force  F-15SGs.  The electro-optical sensor suite includes Sniper® Advanced Targeting Pods, Tiger Eyes™ Navigation Pods and an Infrared Search and Track (IRST) system. 

The advanced electro-optical sensor suite features a high-resolution, mid-wave, third-generation FLIR; a dual-mode laser; a charge-coupled device television; a laser spot tracker; a laser marker; a terrain following radar; and an IRST system

The Republic of Singapore Air Force is also a long-time operator of the C-130 transport aircraft and has a combined fleet of 10 C-130B and H models for both tactical airlift and air refueling tankers. The Singapore Air Force also employs Lockheed Martin Air Defense radars, both short-range PSTAR and long-range FPS-117, to provide an integrated air defense environment.

Lockheed Martin delivered a Driver Training Simulation System to the Ministry of Defence in December 2000. This system helps Singapore Armed Forces drivers enhance their driving skills and it reduces their practice lessons on the road by 30 percent. In November 2006 Lockheed Martin joined Pilatus Aircraft Ltd. to provide Basic Wings Course training for the Republic of Singapore Air Force for 20 years. The contract will provide PC-21 aircraft, maintenance, simulators and ground instruction for introductory pilot-candidates. 

In the non-defense sector, the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore and Lockheed Martin are partners in a vital vessel height management system in the Johor Straits. Because of the configuration of the waterway and adjacent Changi Airport, traffic management controllers must orchestrate the movements of vessels and aircraft in one of the busiest commercial centers in the world.