But noting that the F-35’s evolution has been vexed by problems, Mr Boey added: “This is perhaps why Singapore, which has earned a reputation as a reference customer who is an astute buyer of war machines, is in no hurry to seal a deal.”
It could be noted that Singapore is the Muslim Country that is closest to holding Western societal values of any Muslim Country. Its implementation of sharia often received praise from Conservatives pre-911.
Singapore is probably wondering why they should waste all that money on US hardware when it’s clear in the post-Obama world that their future safety depends on building as strong a relationship with China as possible. Let the PLA navy build a port there, and they can have all the anti-Muslim-neighbor hardware they want - for free.