Singaporean Air Force using Indian base to cough up more

[Neuro]

New Delhi: Arguing that maintenance costs have gone up, India has asked its best friend in South East Asia to cough up more money in exchange for using its military bases for the training of the Singapore Royal Air Force.

The two countries are racing against time to complete negotiations for renewing the lease agreement with Singapore for long-term basis, with Singapore Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong scheduled to arrive in India in the second week of July.



"We have asked for more money due to the current economic situation... We hope to reach an agreement with the Singaporeans soon," said a senior government official.

India has had a long tradition of defence relations with Singapore, which has given high priority to its military preparedness following its bitter split from Malaysia in 1965.



But, in October 2007, India for the first time allowed a foreign country to station its foreign troops and defence facilities on a long-term basis – which was a demonstration of India’s reliance on Singapore as an anchor for its Look East policy.



The bilateral agreement for the conduct of joint military training and exercises in India between IAF and Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was signed in Delhi, as part of the annual Defence Policy Dialogue


Incidentally, Singapore and India have also signed a similar bilateral agreement for army training, but it will come up for renewal next year.


For Singapore, which has an area of just 700 square kilometer, overseas training for its fighter pilots primarily flying F-16 fighter jets is necessary, in the absence of any suitable open tracts of land and airspace.


“It has been a win-win situation for both sides. We get upgraded facilities, while they get space to conduct their exercises,” said the senior official.

In the last five years, Singapore has set up its own facilities at Kalaikonda air base in West Bengal, including residential block and stores.


“Singapore has similar agreement with other countries like United States and Australia, but the training comes here at a comparatively cost effective ate,” said the official, adding that they expected the escalation of price to be easily afforded by the prosperous city-state.


Singapore has been the fourth highest defence spender in the world on per capita terms, after US, Israel and Kuwait.

According to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI) released Monday, it is also the fifth largest importer of arms for the last five years. This year, Singapore had allotted nearly 24 percent of its annual budget towards defence, amounting to $9.6 billion.

For India, Singapore has been its most vocal supporter in the regional security architecture. It is also India’s largest trading partner in ASEAN.

Singaporean Air Force using Indian base to cough up more - RP Defense

 

[blackops]

Good they bring the f16's good for our pilots

 

[Boson]

India and Singapore have shared objectives of peace and stability in our region.
Mutual co-operation between the two is good.

Monetary aspects can be always be settled on a fair basis, and are a much lesser issue.

Singapore could be a potential client for sale of Akaash SAMs, Tejas Mk-II, Brahmos and HAL Dhurvs. They have a large defence budget and can buy the best of the class assets, which India is now starting to bring to production.

 

[asad71]

US and Israel are gradually developing Singapore to be the Israel of the East. The process had begun when founding father Lee Kwan had brought 300 Israelis to set up Singapore's defense and financial institutions.

 

[Boson]

US and Israel are gradually developing Singapore to be the Israel of the East. The process had begun when founding father Lee Kwan had brought 300 Israelis to set up Singapore's defense and financial institutions.

How do you see the analogy.. In fact, there is none.

Malay or Indonesia don't see Singapore as an enemy or bent upon it's destruction (unlike many Arab nations surrounding Israel).

Singapore's defence forces are for promoting peace and stability in the region.

There is no point comparing Israel and Singapore.

 

[asad71]

How do you see the analogy.. In fact, there is none.

Malay or Indonesia don't see Singapore as an enemy or bent upon it's destruction (unlike many Arab nations surrounding Israel).

Singapore's defence forces are for promoting peace and stability in the region.

There is no point comparing Israel and Singapore.

1.Then you haven't been to the area. Indonesia and Malaysia are wary of Singapore acquiring most modern weaponry far in excess of its need as a city state. Being Muslims they understand very well that Singapore, in the ultimate analysis, is a potential threat.

2. After S'pore Israel's pals in the region are Burma and India. Zionists are gradually entering these countries through weapon sales, FDI, financial and industrial ventures and media. They have friends in powerful locations. For instance, the new IAF Chief.

 

[The|slander]

How do you see the analogy.. In fact, there is none.

Malay or Indonesia don't see Singapore as an enemy or bent upon it's destruction (unlike many Arab nations surrounding Israel).

Singapore's defence forces are for promoting peace and stability in the region.

There is no point comparing Israel and Singapore.

Correct. We don't like to be in the situation Israel usually is in, being surrounded by hostile neighbors. But it is true that our SAF was set up by Israelis and till today, they do send experts over to help oversee our military exercises, just as silent observers. Malaysia is not a threat in its present form. That's like saying Australia is a threat to NZ. But there is one scenario we are always prepared for. If Putrajaya itself gets compromised and a pan-Islamic government takes over and becomes hostile. Thankfully only two Malaysian states have such a government, in Kelantan and Trengganu. We are also very close to Israel but its mostly not official. They are understanding of the situation too. As for using your bases, the rise in costs wouldn't really be a problem. Your forces are battle hardened so it's still win-win for us.

India and Singapore have shared objectives of peace and stability in our region.
Mutual co-operation between the two is good.

Monetary aspects can be always be settled on a fair basis, and are a much lesser issue.

Singapore could be a potential client for sale of Akaash SAMs, Tejas Mk-II, Brahmos and HAL Dhurvs. They have a large defence budget and can buy the best of the class assets, which India is now starting to bring to production.

Brahmos definitely yes. I think our government should look seriously into procuring it. If the Indonesians are getting it, we certainly should be. I don't know much about the others though.

 

[Gandhi G in da house]

1.Then you haven't been to the area. Indonesia and Malaysia are wary of Singapore acquiring most modern weaponry far in excess of its need as a city state. Being Muslims they understand very well that Singapore, in the ultimate analysis, is a potential threat.
2. After S'pore Israel's pals in the region are Burma and India. Zionists are gradually entering these countries through weapon sales, FDI, financial and industrial ventures and media. They have friends in powerful locations. For instance, the new IAF Chief.

Please elaborate on the bold part .

Is it natural for a muslim country to automatically consider a strong non-muslim country in its neighbourhood a threat ? That explains the Bangladeshi mindframe . No wonder you guys keep wishing for Myanmar's and India's disintegration .