On Wednesday, 10th September 2025, the Singaporean government officially announced its decision to acquire four Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft (MPA). The announcement followed a meeting held that day at Pentagon between Chan Chun Sing, Singapore’s Minister for Defence, and Pete Hegseth, the US Secretary of War.
According to the press release, Chan reaffirmed the country’s commitment to the continued involvement of the United States in the Asia-Pacific region, in accordance with the Memorandum of Understanding initially signed in 1999 and then renewed in 2019 by Donald Trump, during his previous presidential term, and Lee Hsien Loong, then Prime Minister of Singapore.
According to the Singaporean authorities, the purchase of four P-8A aircraft is part of the first phase of refreshing the maritime security capabilities of the Singapore Armed Forces, intended to enhance situational awareness and the ability to counter sub-surface threats.
The newly acquired Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft will replace the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s existing fleet of Fokker 50 MPAs, which have been in service since 1993.
During the meeting, Chan and Hegseth also discussed the delivery of Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II aircraft. In 2020 and 2023, the Singaporean government decided to purchase a total of 12 F-35B fifth-generation aircraft, followed by a further deal from 2023 for 8 F-35A jets. Production of the Singaporean fighters has already commenced, with the first deliveries scheduled for late 2026.
In addition, Minister Chan thanked Secretary Hegseth for the long-standing support of the United States, including the SAF training conducted in the United States, such as Exercise Forging Sabre in Idaho, and for the future RSAF training detachment at Ebbing Air National Guard Base in Arkansas.
The P-8A Poseidon is a next-generation maritime patrol aircraft and is the direct successor to the well-known Lockheed P-3 Orion. Developed from the Boeing 737-800 Next Generation commercial aircraft, the Poseidon performed its maiden flight on 25th April 2009
The P-8A can conduct anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare operations, as well as intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance duties.
According to Boeing, there are currently 200 P-8s either in service or on order across nine countries, including the United States, Australia, India, the United Kingdom, Norway, New Zealand, the Republic of Korea, Germany and Canada.
Cover photo: The 100th P-8A Poseidon aircraft delivered to the US Navy, Boeing photo.
All photos © the Boeing Company. Information from the Singapore Government and Boeing press releases were used.
