Singapore to acquire Hellfire missiles in US$22.3 million defence package

Singapore is set to acquire 67 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles from the United States in a proposed defence package worth US$22.3 million (S$28.9 million), following approval by the US State Department.

The State Department notified Congress of the possible sale on 30 June 2026, as required when proposed sales of major defence equipment to Singapore exceed US$14 million. Congress has 30 days to decide whether to approve the transaction.

The package consolidates two separate requests. An original Foreign Military Sales case worth approximately US$12.4 million — below the congressional notification threshold — was subsequently expanded when Singapore requested an additional 24 Hellfire missiles along with related equipment and support services, bringing the total to 67 missiles and the estimated value to US$22.3 million.

Lockheed Martin, the defence and aerospace company that manufactures the Hellfire missile, is the principal contractor.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) said the acquisition supports routine training and operational requirements. The air-to-ground precision missiles will be equipped on the RSAF's AH-64D Apache Longbow attack helicopters.

The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) said in response to media queries: "MINDEF and the Singapore Armed Forces take a strategic long-term view on our defence acquisitions to ensure that we make prudent and cost-effective decisions that best meet our defence needs, and maintain operational readiness."

Beyond the missiles themselves, the package includes spare parts, launcher upgrades, maintenance and repair services, software support, technical publications, training and technical assistance, as well as engineering and logistics support.

The State Department said the proposed sale "will not alter the basic military balance in the region" and would enhance Singapore's ability to conduct operations and training. It added that Singapore would have "no difficulty" integrating the equipment into its armed forces.

Washington cited strategic rationale for the sale, saying it would "support the foreign policy and national security objectives of the United States by improving the security of a strategic partner that is an important force for political stability and economic progress in Asia".

The Hellfire acquisition follows another recent US arms approval for Singapore. In June 2026, the US sanctioned a US$73 million rocket artillery upgrade sale involving the High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS).