SINGAPORE - Singapore's Defense Ministry plans to deploy a giant tethered surveillance balloon equipped with radar in an effort to bolster maritime and air security. As an island city-state with a population of over 5 million people and a limited territorial base the Republic of Singapore relies on a power projection defense posture that aims to detect and deter danger prior to reaching the city-state's borders. Because its limited population ensures a large military footprint cannot exist, Singapore relies heavily on force-multipliers that negate a potential adversary's quantitative advantage.
Thus acquiring a helium-filled "aerostat" equipped with radar is a logical extension of the city-state's defense philosophy: utilize all available means to maximize one's capabilities so detection and response times are effective.
The U.S.-produced, 55-meter (180ft) blimp will be operated by an 8-person ground team. It will be able to extend up to 600 meters in height. Defense Minister Ng Eng Hen was quoted on October 28 stating the balloon would allow for SGD29 million ($23.2 million) worth of operating cost savings per year by reducing the need for round-the-clock surveillance flights. Singapore media reports that once positioned the balloon will be capable of scanning up to Malacca in Malaysia for stray aircraft, plus detect small incoming craft from Indonesia's Pekanbaru.
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