Singapore Expands Hellfire Missile Arsenal After US Approves $22.3 Million Deal
Singapore has received U.S. approval for a possible $22.3 million Foreign Military Sale (FMS) that will expand its AGM-114R Hellfire missile inventory. The package includes 24 additional precision-guided air-to-ground missiles, five years of sustainment support and related services, according to the U.S. Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).
The approval follows a previous FMS case that was deemed “low” to fall below the congressional notification level. The latest order adds 67 AGM-114R Hellfire missiles to Singapore’s defense procurement, continuing efforts to bolster ties in the Southeast Asian nation between Washington and Singapore.
Deal Expands Existing Hellfire Procurement
Singapore has asked for 24 more AGM-114R Hellfire missiles as part of a $12.4 million FMS, of which $9.4 million would be spent on major defense equipment, personnel training and logistics support.
The newly approved package entails five years of spare parts, Hellfire technical manuals, reprogramming of M299 launchers, repair and return services, technical publications, unguided munitions, software verification and calibration of the AN/AWM-101 system, chaff, flares and engineering and logistics support from the U.S. government and contractors.
Lockheed Martin will serve as the principal contractor for the proposed sale.
US Says Sale Supports Regional Stability
The proposed sale “advances the foreign policy and national security goals of the United States” by enhancing the security of a strategic partner that plays a key role in political stability and economic development in Asia, the U.S. State Department said.
The department also said the proposed transfer “will not alter the basic military balance in the region.”
Officials added that the package would enhance the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s ability to conduct operations and improve its capability to address current and future security threats.
AGM-114R Hellfire Designed for Multiple Mission Profiles
The AGM-114R, also known as the “Romeo” variant, was developed to consolidate the capabilities of earlier Hellfire models into a single multi-mission missile.
Its warhead is designed to engage both soft targets, including small vessels and unarmored vehicles, and hardened targets such as armored vehicles, bunkers, bridges, radar systems and communications facilities.
The missile can be launched from helicopters, unmanned aerial systems and certain ground-based platforms. Depending on the variant and launch platform, Hellfire missiles use laser or radar guidance and have an effective range of up to approximately 11 kilometers.
Latest Step in US-Singapore Defense Cooperation
The approval marks the latest U.S. arms sale to Singapore. In April 2026, the State Department approved a separate $83 million Foreign Military Sale of M30A2 Guided Multiple Launch Rocket System (GMLRS) rockets, expanding Singapore’s precision-strike inventory for its High Mobility Artillery Rocket System (HIMARS) fleet without adding new launchers.
Singapore has operated Hellfire missiles for years and is among more than a dozen international operators of the weapon system. Other users include Australia, Egypt, France, Greece, Israel, Japan, Kuwait, the Netherlands, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Sweden, Taiwan, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom.
The proposed sale will next proceed through the U.S. Foreign Military Sales process. Under U.S. law, congressional notification does not guarantee that a sale will be completed, although the DSCA said the package is expected to support Singapore’s long-term defense readiness without affecting the regional military balance.
