KUALA LUMPUR – The Singapore Defence Ministry has confirmed that F-16 fighter jets were deployed at 9.20am yesterday.
It was approximately the same time an AgustaWestland AW139 helicopter belonging to Malaysian police, with the call sign 9M-PMD, was seen flying over Tekong Island, as shown on FlightRadar24.
Singapore in a statement said it deployed its aircraft in response to a potential threat, but stood down after determining that the country’s security was not compromised.
“The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) scrambled F-16 fighter aircraft at approximately 0920hrs in response to a potential air threat.
“After ensuring that our security was not compromised, we stood down our aircraft.
“On average, RSAF fighter aircraft are deployed to investigate and deal with 350 potential air threats each year.”
Bukit Aman Internal Security and Public Order director Datuk Hazani Ghazali yesterday said while the chopper did fly near Singapore airspace for official purposes, there was no report received from the republic’s airspace authority on an intrusion.
Tekong Island is where the Singapore army conducts basic military training. – The Vibes, September 12, 2021
