Following Singapore’s independence on 9 August 1965, the Singapore Air Defence Command (SADC) was established on 1 September 1968 to protect the fledging nation’s airspace. The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) was established in April 1975 following the restructuring of the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) into three separate services, namely: the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN); the SAF and the RSAF. While the RSN and SAF handled sea and land defence respectively, the RSAF was tasked with the defence of Singapore’s airspace. The RSAF has expanded and upgraded its fleet of aircraft and helicopters as well as its air defence systems over the years to ensure that it remains a credible air force in the region.
