Singapore took delivery of its first F-16
Saturday, 20th February 1988
The machines were delivered to Luke Air Force Base in Arizona, where the RSAF trains its new F-16 pilots. Singapore also leased nine F-16A's previously used by the Thunderbirds flight demonstration team from 1993 to 1996, for training. The new F16 was purchased under Peace Carvin I signed in 1985.
Photo Credit: Flickr.
This two seater Lockheed Martin F-16A is powered by Pratt & Whitney F100-PW-220 engine. Although all aircraft are block 15 models, they actually have strengthened block 30 airframes.
Update 1990: The first F-16s were not transferred to Singapore until January 1990.
Update 1991: Soon after delivery in 1991, two of the F-16A's were involved in a mid-air collision over the South China Sea. One of the F-16s was lost while the other made it back to base.
Update 2004: In December 2004 a contract was signed between the Singapore and Thai government for the sale of the last 7 remaining F-16 A/B airframes to the Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF). Earlier in 1994, when the Peace Carvin III order was announced, it was revealed that the F-16A/B's would be sold once the C/D's were operational. As reason it was quoted by Dr. Yeo Ning Hong, Minister of Defence, that it is expensive to support both the A/B and C/D's together.