US to base spy planes in Singapore

[TexasTowelie]

Singapore has boosted its military engagement in the US military build-up in the Asia Pacific against China by giving the green light to the Pentagon to operate P8 Poseidon surveillance aircraft from its territory.

The first deployment of the American spy plane, from December 7 to 14, was officially welcomed in a joint statement by US Defence Secretary Ashton Carter and Singaporean Defence Minister Ng Eng Hen, released after their meeting in Washington on Monday.

A US official told Reuters that further deployments in Singapore could be expected. The US already operates the navy aircraft from air bases in Japan and the Philippines, as well as from Malaysia.

The announcement will only further heighten tensions with China after a relentless campaign by Washington and its allies over the past year condemning Chinese reclamation activities in the South China Sea. Unlike Malaysia and the Philippines, Singapore has no rival territorial claims with Beijing.

Read more: https://www.wsws.org/en/articles/2015/12/09/sing-d09.html

[Sherman A1]

1. I don't know if I would call the P8 a spy plane

it's more of a maritime/anti-submarine patrol aircraft if I understand correctly. I find the headline misleading.

[HereSince1628]

2. I think you understand it correctly...

But, I doubt that a PR campaign about it's ship killing capacity is what the host country want.

[Sherman A1]

3. I agree that it has many capabilities

and ship/sub killing is among them as is electronic surveillance, but it's primary mission is simply maritime patrol which can include assisting vessels in distress, anti smuggling and anti piracy operations along with military patrols. The headline is misleading, however I understand that this is a minor elbow jab at the Chinese island building program in the big picture just as the freedom of navigation sailings have and will be.