The United States has approved a potential $2.3 billion weapons sale to Singapore. The deal includes advanced maritime patrol aircraft, torpedoes, and air defense-related equipment.
The U.S. State Department approved the proposed sale on Wednesday. It formally notified Congress through the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
Congressional approval is still required before the transaction can move forward.
According to the DSCA, the package includes Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft and lightweight torpedoes. It also includes related military systems and support equipment.
The agency said the sale will help Singapore meet current and future threats. It would do so by providing a credible maritime force capable of deterring adversaries.
U.S. officials said the deal also supports American strategic interests in the region. The DSCA said it will enhance U.S. foreign policy and national security objectives.
The agency added that the sale improves the security of a strategic partner. Singapore was described as an important force for political stability and economic progress in Asia.
Singapore plans to acquire four Boeing P-8A Poseidon aircraft. The purchase is part of a long-term effort to modernize its maritime security forces.
The new aircraft will replace Singapore’s aging fleet of Fokker 50 maritime patrol planes. Officials have said the upgrade is necessary to maintain effective maritime surveillance.
Singapore’s Defense Minister Chan Chun Sing announced the plan in September. The announcement followed a meeting at the Pentagon with U.S. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth.
Analysts say the P-8A aircraft will help protect Singapore’s vital sea lanes. The country oversees some of the busiest waterways in Southeast Asia.
The aircraft are used for surveillance and anti-submarine warfare. They also support broader maritime security operations.
The proposed sale adds to an already extensive defense relationship between Washington and Singapore. The U.S. currently has more than $8 billion in active government-to-government arms sales with the country.
Those agreements include munitions and advanced fighter aircraft. Singapore is expected to receive the first jets from its existing F-35 order later this year.
The U.S. and Singapore also conduct regular joint military exercises. The two countries continue to cooperate closely on regional security issues.
If Congress approves the sale, it would further strengthen defense ties. The move comes as the U.S. reinforces partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region.