SAF to buy Aster-30 surface-to-air missile system

Published on Sep 16, 2013
By Goh Chin Lian

The Singapore Armed Forces will buy a new Aster-30 surface-to-air missile system, to boost Singapore's air defence shield.

Announcing the acquisition on Monday, Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen said advanced militaries in France and Italy use the new system, which is "many times more potent" than the current I-Hawk ground-based air defence system.

"The Aster will allow us to engage multiple threats simultaneously and from a longer distance," Dr Ng told Parliament, adding that the new system will complement a mobile and shorter-range ground-based air defence system known as Spyder.

He was responding to Nee Soon GRC MP Lim Wee Kiak on the Republic of Singapore Air Force's (RSAF) operational readiness with the planned relocation of Paya Lebar Airbase to Changi East at around 2030. Dr Ng did not say how much the move, which was announced last month, would cost.