Ever since the inception of the Singapore Armed Forces and the Singapore Air Defence Command (the former name of the RSAF), defense planners have understood that the tiny island state lacks strategic depth, and that any aerial threats can overfly one of the world’s most densely populated countries in seconds. Ground-based air defense (GBAD) systems have therefore been one of the mainstays of Singapore’s national air defense, providing 'round-the-clock watch over the skies.
The RSAF has sought Counter-RAM (C-RAM) capabilities ever since the technology allowed, protecting Singapore from saturated rocket, artillery, and mortar (RAM) fire. The need was ever more critical following the foiled attempt by Indonesian terrorists to launch homemade rockets into Singapore in 2016, while the potential closure of Paya Lebar airbase from 2030 could result in a loss of operational runways.
RSAF restructuring in 2017 has seen national air defense systems come under the auspices of the Air Defence and Operation Command’s (ADOC’s) Air Defence Group, with the remaining short-range air defense systems coming under the Participation Command’s Divisional Air Defence Group (DAG).
GBAD Systems
The second generation RSAF GBAD umbrella consisted of the fighters at the forefront, followed by 163 Squadron’s I-Hawk surface-to-air missile, the 165 Sqn Rapier as its second-tier missile system and, at the last tier, the 160 Sqn Oerlikon 35-mm guns along with the Mistral, RBS 70 and Igla Manpads from the 3rd, 6th, 9th and 18th Divisional Air Defence Artillery Battalion.
Today, the umbrella concept remains largely unchanged, but it is more robust. The 35-mm gun and the Mistral were phased out, and AIN understands that the RBS 70 was upgraded to the NG variant with the Bolide missile.
After around two decades, the transformation started around the turn of the decade, with the Rafael Spyder-SR initially replacing the medium-range Rapier in 2011. With the infrared-guided Python 5 and radar-guided Derby missiles, the RSAF has more flexibility, faster response times, and the first GBAD asset to have C-RAM capabilities.
In 2013, the government announced the acquisition of the MBDA Aster 30 SAMP/T to replace 163 Sqn’s I-Hawk. The vertically launched Aster 30 will extend ADOC’s capabilities to enable it to engage multiple high-altitude targets coming from all directions, without the need to turn the missile launchers to the direction of fire.
Capable of engaging high-altitude (above 10,000 feet) aircraft at 100-km (54-nautical-mile) range, it expands the air defense umbrella farther afield, by an additional 50 km (27 nm). The Aster 30 is also marketed to be capable of shooting down small radar cross-section targets such as cruise missiles, UAVs, and stand-off munitions.
Sensors
High-end missile systems can only be as effective as their detection capabilities allow. Since radar operates at line of sight, Singapore’s low-lying geographical features mean that its radar systems can’t be used to their full potential. The mainstay of RSAF air defense radar, the Lockheed Martin FPS-117, is perched on the second highest hill of Bukit Gombak, at only 133 meters (436 feet). This has meant that tall city buildings or larger geographical features outside Singapore could easily hinder detection performance.
ADOC started to operate the TCOM 55m aerostat in 2017, which is believed to be mounted with the Elta EL/M-2083 APR solid state L-band active electronically scanning array (AESA) radar. Tethered at 2,000 feet (600 meters), the aerostat is able to give ADOC 'round-the-clock aerial and maritime surveillance with a range of around 200 km (108 nm).
The RSAF has also acquired a number of new sensor systems to replace older hardware and improve the detection capabilities, and to provide a high-resolution air picture—especially crucial in C-RAM operations. These radars include the Saab Giraffe Agile Multiple Beam (AMB), Thales Groundmaster 200 (known locally as the Shikra), and more recently, in 2016, the Elta EL/M-2084 Multi Mission Radar (MMR). The latter was proven through intensive use in Israel, with numerous successful intercepts when paired with the Iron Dome system.
The Silver Bullet
ADOC’s silver bullet is the Island Air Defence System (IADS), a “system of systems” (SoS) offering networked air defense. Developed locally by the Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) and the RSAF, IADS enables all sensors and firing units to be linked to the network under a single communication protocol regardless of system manufacturer.
These sensors are fused together by a combat management system, and linked with civilian radar and flight plan database, giving ADOC’s C2 centers a single comprehensive recognized air picture with quick auto-identification of plots and tracks. Under this centralized resource, critical information can be disseminated to all parties within the entire air defense system.
All firing units receive radar details from the various sensors across the island, giving the missile best-target information while also increasing the survivability of the site as there is not a single point of failure, in the event their own radar unit is not available. Decision-support systems will aid C2 commanders in assigning the most appropriate weapon system for the best success rate.
The RSAF has coined its air defense as "third generation," but the investment and development of new hardware and capabilities brings it to the level of GBAD 3.5. Distinct lines between first and second line of defense are blurred now, as the minimum and maximum engagement ranges of missiles cross each other, and also give cover into the region of fighter coverage. Two or three well placed firing units give overlapping and extensive coverage over the island, ironically due to its small geographical size.
In addition, with the IADS now in place, the RSAF is able to quickly integrate new systems with current ones and adapt to the ever-changing air defense landscape, covering Singapore with a highly complex steel umbrella.
