On Tuesday, June 30, 2026, the US Department of State issued approval for the potential sale to the Republic of Singapore of another batch of AGM-114R2 Hellfire II (Hellfire Romeo) anti-tank guided missiles in a package valued at a maximum of 22.3 million USD.
Singaporean AH-64D Apache / Photos: Singapore Ministry Of Defence
According to the published notification, the Singaporean government initially requested the purchase of an additional 24 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles, US government and contractor (Lockheed Martin) engineering, technical, and logistical services, and other related logistical and program support elements to be added to a previously requested package whose value was below the Congressional notification threshold.
The original Foreign Military Sales (FMS) case worth 12.4 million USD covered personnel training and training equipment, US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services, and other related logistics and program support elements.
The latest amendment increases the package to 67 AGM-114R Hellfire II missiles and the following non-Major Defense Equipment (MDE) items: 5 years of missile spare parts, technical manuals, LGMA M299 missile rail reprogramming, return and repair materials and services, technical publications, unguided ammunition and services, AN/AWM-101 software verification and calibration; Hellfire missiles and support equipment, flares and technical assistance, US government and contractor engineering, technical, and logistical support services, and other related logistics and program support elements.
Analysis
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (Angkatan Udara Republik Singapura, AURS) operates 19 AH-64D Apache attack helicopters, for which the requested missiles are intended. Initial approval for the acquisition of 8 rotorcraft was granted in June 1998, followed by a further 12 units in 2001. One of them (serial number 069) was lost during an emergency landing near Woodlands in northern Singapore on September 30, 2010. The helicopter broke apart, but the crew survived.
Eight are based at Silverbell Army Heliport of the Arizona Army National Guard for training purposes under the Peace Vanguard Detachment. The remaining 11 are based at Sembawang Air Base in Singapore as part of AURS Squadron 120.
Together with the helicopters, 216 AGM-114 Hellfire family missiles were ordered, among other items. In February 2024, a Service Life Extension Program (SLEP) was announced along with combat capability enhancements, which will allow them to remain in service beyond 2030.
The AGM-114R2 Hellfire (also known as the AGM-114R Hellfire II/Romeo Hellfire) air-to-ground anti-tank guided missiles are used to engage both armored and unarmored targets. The missiles entered production in 2012, in parallel with the AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopters. The AGM-114R2 uses semi-active laser guidance and is equipped with a multipurpose warhead for engaging various target types. The missile is 180 cm in length, weighs 49 kg, and travels at approximately Mach 1.3.
In recent months, purchases have also been approved for: the Kingdom of the Netherlands (916 units in two packages), Australia (800 units), South Korea (288 units), the United Kingdom (395 units), France (1,515 units), Poland (800 units plus a planned additional 1,844 units), the Czech Republic (initially 14 units plus 200 units), Saudi Arabia (2,500 units), Slovakia (500 units, though this purchase remains uncertain), Belgium (240 units), Denmark (100 units), and Greece (300 units), as well as Italy previously.
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