F-5S

• The entire fleet of the F-5 E/F Tiger II had been upgraded by Singapore Technologies Aerospace (STA) at a cost of S$6 million a plane.

• A brand new F-16 costs S$43 million.

• The upgrading had increased the lifespan of the F-5 by an additional 10 - 15 years.

• It was in 1989 when the Ministry of Defence initiated to upgrade the 30 year old planes.

• The upgrading work started in 1991 and flight testing in 1994.

• The F-5Es were acquired in 1975 and it was at that time, Singapore's first supersonic planes.

• When the pilot does something wrong, a computerised voice dubbed "Bitching Betty" would come through the cockpit to warn them.

• A new radar system and computerised cockpit control was added.

• There are currently 3 F-5S squardons that are fully operational.

• The Turkish Air Force had also opted for the F-5S upgrade.

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