WASHINGTON, D.C., July 1, 2026 — The U.S. Department of State has approved a possible Foreign Military Sale (FMS) to Singapore valued at $22.3 million, covering 67 AGM-114R Hellfire II precision-guided missiles and related logistics, technical, and sustainment support for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF).
The approval was announced on June 30, 2026, through a notification by the U.S. Bureau of Political-Military Affairs. According to the notification, the package includes an additional 24 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles added to a previously implemented case, bringing the total covered under the current approval to 67 missiles.
The proposed sale is intended to sustain the RSAF's existing precision-strike capability and support the continued operation of its AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters, which are used for close air support and anti-armour missions.
Sustainment and Support Package
Beyond the missiles, the package includes a range of support measures designed to maintain operational readiness, including:
- Five years of spare parts
- Technical and training manuals
- M299 launcher reprogramming
- Software verification and calibration
- Repair and maintenance support
- Chaff and flare countermeasures
- U.S. government and contractor engineering, technical, logistics, and program support
The principal contractor is Lockheed Martin Corporation of Orlando, Florida. No offset agreement has been proposed.
AGM-114R Hellfire II Capability
The AGM-114R Hellfire II is a semi-active laser-guided precision missile that combines the capabilities of earlier Hellfire variants into a single multi-purpose configuration. It is designed to engage armored vehicles, fortified positions, air-defense systems, small maritime targets such as patrol boats, and personnel.
The missile supports both Lock-On Before Launch (LOBL) and Lock-On After Launch (LOAL) modes and can receive laser designation from either the launching aircraft or an external designator. It also features improved tracking through dust, smoke, water vapor, and sea spray, automatic target reacquisition, and a maximum engagement range of up to 8 kilometers.
The missile weighs approximately 49.4 kilograms (109 pounds), measures 163 centimeters in length, and has a 17.8-centimeter diameter.
Supporting Singapore's Apache Fleet
The RSAF operates the AH-64D Apache Longbow as its primary attack helicopter. Each aircraft can carry up to 16 Hellfire missiles in addition to a 30 mm M230 chain gun and Hydra 70 rockets, while its Fire Control Radar enables target detection and engagement in day, night, and adverse weather conditions.
The inclusion of launcher reprogramming, software support, and spare parts indicates the sale is focused on sustaining Singapore's existing Apache fleet rather than introducing new weapon systems or expanding force structure.
Strategic Significance
Singapore's location along key maritime routes makes precision-guided weapons an important part of its defence posture. The AGM-114R provides operational flexibility by allowing crews to engage different target types with a single missile configuration while reducing the need to change loadouts before missions.
According to the U.S. government, the proposed sale supports the security of a key partner in the Indo-Pacific, strengthens interoperability between the U.S. and Singaporean armed forces, and is not expected to alter the regional military balance. The approval allows the sale to proceed through the Foreign Military Sales (FMS) process, with implementation subject to final contractual arrangements between the two governments.
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