2007/05 - Hermes 450 UAV

The RSAF acquired the Hermes 450 (H-450) UAV in May 2007 as a step towards enhancing the SAF’s capabilities to cope with the challenges of modern warfare without having more soldiers. The H-450, together with the RSAF’s existing fleet of Searcher UAVs, is operated by 116 Squadron at Tengah Air Base.

The Hermes 450 complements the RSAF’s fleet of Searcher UAVs in intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance operations.

“The Hermes 450 is one of the most capable UAVs in its class. Compared to the older UAVs, the Hermes 450 enhances our intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance capabilities with its extended endurance, advanced avionics, and more capable sensors.”

Dr Ng Eng Hen, Minister for Defence, 2015 who officiated at a ceremony held at Murai Camp to mark the H-450's achievement of full operational capability

“Pretty much every forward-thinking armed force in the world has been increasingly moving to develop its UAV capabilities. But Singapore, in particular, has been increasingly in the lead of UAVs, both in terms of induction of UAVs into service and the development of its own family of UAVs.”

Robert Karniol, Asia-Pacific Editor, Jane’s Defence Weekly, 2007

“Seeing is believing. It helps you make better decisions. The UAV provides a real-time bird’s eye-view of the battle. This can be of tremendous value to commanders and soldiers in the field.”

MAJ Augustine Tan, Flight Commander, 128 Squadron, 2007 on being a ground commander for the UAV