165 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force

165 Squadron is an air-defence squadron of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), falling under the Air Defence Group of the Air Defence and Operations Command. It was officially formed on 1 August 1983 as 165 SADA, following an air-defence study conducted in 1978 and the acquisition of the Rapier missile system. The unit was established at Changi Camp and became fully operationally ready about a year after 1 September 1985. In 1987 it shifted to Lim Chu Kang Camp II, and in 1988 full-time National Servicemen were added to its ranks. In July 2006, as part of a reorganisation, ADSD became ADOC (Air Defence Operations Command) and ADB became ADG (Air Defence Group). In 2014 the squadron moved to Chong Pang Camp, where it currently operates the Surface-to-Air PYthon and DERby – Short Range (SPYDER-SR) ground-based air defence system. For nearly three decades the squadron's principal weapon was the RAPIER air-defence system purchased from British Aerospace, which it operated from 1983 and which provided air-defence cover against low-flying aircraft. The RSAF replaced its RAPIER system with the SPYDER ground-based air defence system in 2011; 165 Squadron has operated SPYDER since 2011 and achieved Full Operational Capability in 2018. The squadron's motto is "Pride in Protection". It conducted its first live-firing exercise at the Royal Artillery Range in the Hebrides, United Kingdom, in July 1984, and took part in its first overseas deployment exercise in 1985 in Exercise Air Thai-Sing (now known as Exercise Cope Tiger) at Chandy Range in Thailand.

The 165 Squadron, then known as 165 SADA, was officially formed on 1 August 1983 with the acquisition of the Rapier missile after an air defence study in 1978. Formed at Changi Camp, it was established on 1 September 1985, before becoming fully operationally ready a year later. In 1987, the battalion shifted to Lim Chu Kang Camp II. Full-time National Servicemen were added to its ranks in 1988. In July 2006, ADSD became ADOC (Air Defence Operations Command) and ADB became ADG (Air Defence Group). In 2014, the unit moved to Chong Pang Camp, where it currently operates the Surface-to-Air PYthon and DERby - Short Range (SPYDER-SR) ground-based air defence system. Before SPYDER, it operated the RAPIER air defence system purchased from British Aerospace since 1983, providing air defence cover against low-flying aircraft. The RSAF replaced its RAPIER air defence system with the SPYDER ground based air defence system in 2011. With its motto, "Pride in Protection", the squadron conducted its first live-firing exercise at the Royal Artillery Range in Hebrides, the United Kingdom in July 1984, and participated in its first overseas deployment exercise in 1985 in Exercise Air Thai-Sing (now known as Exercise Cope Tiger) at Chandy Range in Thailand. The 165 Squadron is an Air Defence Group squadron of the Air Defence and Operations Command, Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF). It has operated the Surface-to-air PYthon-5 and DERby (SPYDER) Ground-Based Air Defence System since 2011, achieving Full Operational Capability in 2018.

• 2018

  Achieved Full Operational Capability with the SPYDER system.

• 2014

  Unit moved to Chong Pang Camp, where it currently operates the SPYDER-SR system.

• 2011

  RSAF replaced its RAPIER air defence system with the SPYDER ground-based air defence system; 165 Squadron has operated SPYDER since 2011.

• 2006

  In July, ADSD became ADOC (Air Defence Operations Command) and ADB became ADG (Air Defence Group).

• 1988

  Full-time National Servicemen added to its ranks.

• 1987

  Battalion shifted to Lim Chu Kang Camp II.

• 1986

  Became fully operationally ready a year after establishment.

• 1985

  Established on 1 September; participated in first overseas deployment exercise, Exercise Air Thai-Sing (now Exercise Cope Tiger), at Chandy Range, Thailand.

• 1984

  Conducted first live-firing exercise at the Royal Artillery Range in Hebrides, United Kingdom, in July.

• 1983

  165 Squadron officially formed on 1 August as 165 SADA at Changi Camp.

• 1978

  Air defence study conducted, leading to acquisition of the Rapier missile.

Air-defence unit providing ground-based air defence for Singapore against low-flying aircraft and aerial threats.

• SPYDER-SR ground-based air defence system

  Surface-to-Air PYthon and DERby – Short Range system operated since 2011; Full Operational Capability achieved in 2018.

• RAPIER air defence system

  Purchased from British Aerospace and operated from 1983 until replacement by SPYDER in 2011; provided air defence cover against low-flying aircraft.

1. 1165 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force - Wikipediaen.wikipedia.org
2. 2165 Squadron, Republic of Singapore Air Force - Wikidatawikidata.org
3. 3Official websitemindef.gov.sg