Korean F-50 and Swedish Gripen may be considered against JSF in Singapore?

According to a Flight International article dated February 14th, Singapore is to launch a competition for a new advanced jet trainer (AJT) to replace about 20 TA-4SU trainers based in Cazaux, France.

The most likely contenders are Aermacchi M346, BAE Systems Hawk 128 and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) T-50. Following the AJT, aircraft manufacturers expect another competition will be held to pick F-5 replacements. The article extrapolates that “Singapore is expected to consider the JSF against contenders such as the Saab Gripen” and “If the T-50 wins the AJT competition, KAI’s proposed F-50 may also be considered.”

Whether or not the Republic of Singapore Air Force will ever consider short-legged lightweight fighters such as the Gripen and the proposed F-50 depends on the force structure the RSAF wants to build – a ‘strategic’ air force with long range fighter bombers, an ‘army’s flying artillery’ dedicated to close air support or an awkward compromise between the two.

Cheers,
Sunho