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SINGAPORE: The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has reduced its local training “as much as possible” and introduced measures to reduce noise from flights, Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen said on Monday ( October 5th).
He was responding to a parliamentary question from Member of Parliament Sitoh Yih Pin, who asked if RSAF would consider reducing the number of morning military aircraft training sessions near residential areas, given that more residents are working from home due to COVID-19. measurements.
In his written response, Dr. Ng said that while the ministry acknowledges the inconvenience and inconvenience to residents, there is a need for a capable and ready-to-operate RSAF.
“It is taken for granted that today we have a capable RSAF, capable of defending our skies. It is a virtuous situation, but one that can slide if the capabilities of our pilots and aircraft are ever degraded,” he said.
“And to maintain their skills, the RSAF pilots need to train properly.”
READ: SAF will progressively resume NS training at camp, IPPT from October with COVID-19 security measures
“MINDEF / SAF has made every effort to keep up with RSAF training locally at essential levels and activity,” added Dr. Ng.
“The RSAF has reduced its local training as much as possible,” he said, noting that about half of the actual flight training occurs overseas in countries that are willing to provide Singapore with such opportunities.
As for local training, a “significant proportion” is done through simulators, he said, adding that even during actual flight, noise reduction measures have been introduced.
“First of all, most local flights are over water rather than land and avoiding residential areas except during takeoff, landing, and transit to and from training areas,” explained Dr. Ng.
“To illustrate, the north end of the runway at the Paya Lebar Air Base is approximately 6 km from our territorial limit. Fighter pilots have only seconds after takeoff to turn sharply to the left to stay within our territorial airspace.
“The departures taking off from the Paya Lebar Air Base and the Tengah Air Base are already grouped where possible, in multiple groups, even when there are fewer aircraft involved.”
He noted that RSAF also adjusted its training pace to accommodate sensitive periods like national exams.
“During this COVID-19 pandemic in which more residents work and study from home, RSAF has kept the level of local flight activities to the minimum necessary to maintain operational readiness,” he said.
READ: SAF will ‘comprehensively review’ how it operates, trains and works amid the COVID-19 pandemic
Flights are also spread throughout the week and select weekends.
“This regular training both locally and abroad keeps the RSAF alert and able to protect us well. It is not against theoretical or imagined threats, ”said Dr. Ng, adding that in any given year, RSAF responds to more than 350 suspicious aerial threats.
“As a small country with no strategic depth, it is critical to Singapore’s survival to maintain a capable and ready-to-operate RSAF,” said the defense minister.
“Without this crucial deterrent, Singapore’s national defenses can easily be compromised and with potentially catastrophic consequences.
“This RSAF operational high availability state is only possible with regular and realistic training.”
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