Singapore, October 12 – Singapore will permanently station 12 F-35B fighter jets at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Fort Smith, Arkansas, beginning in late 2026. These fifth-generation stealth fighters expand a long-standing US partnership hosting Singaporean detachments and over 1,000 personnel for training. The move supports the Republic of Singapore Air Force amid limited domestic space.
The Ministry of Defence is investing $4 billion in 20 US-made F-35 Lightning II aircraft. Twelve F-35B models with vertical takeoff and landing capability will stay permanently based in Arkansas. Eight F-35A jets will be based at Tengah Air Base from 2029, replacing F-16s while complementing F-15SG fighters to protect Singapore’s skies.
Singapore’s 6.2 million people occupy under 750 square kilometers, restricting training airspace. Stationing F-35B fighter jets at the US base provides unrestricted areas, US instructors, and multinational tactics hard to replicate locally. The F-35B carries a 6,800-kilogram payload over 1,667 kilometers; the F-35A offers 8,160 kilograms and 2,200 kilometers.
This basing aligns Singapore with Indo-Pacific F-35 operators such as Australia, Japan, South Korea, and the United States. It bolsters bilateral exercises including Pacific Griffin, Tiger Balm, Valiant Mark, and Commando Sling. The arrangement enhances interoperability and regional security cooperation for the Republic of Singapore Air Force.