1970/09 - First jet fighter squadron

Hawker Hunter

1970

SADC formed its first fighter unit, 140 Squadron, with 23 Hawker Hunters and locally trained pilots at Tengah.

On 8 September 1970, the SADC received its first fighter aircraft, the British-made Hawker Hunter. With 23 refurbished planes, it formed the SADC’s first fighter squadron, 140 Squadron, which operated out of Tengah Air Base and had a mix of homegrown and foreign-trained fighter pilots. Two years later, 141 Squadron was formed with another batch of 20 Hawker Hunters.

Aircrew posing on and around a jet trainer parked on the tarmac

The pioneers of Singapore’s first fighter squadron, 140 Squadron, which flew the Hawker Hunters.

Two camouflage-painted jet aircraft flying in formation above the clouds.

In September 1970, 23 Hawker Hunter jets arrived in Singapore to form 140 Squadron.