SINGAPORE, Sept. 4 -- Singapore's acquisition of 20 F-35 stealth fighters and related equipment is worth US$4.06 billion (RM16.4 billion), according to a US government report that marks the first official disclosure of the programme's total cost.

The report, published in April and made public on August 3, also sets out new details on when the fifth-generation aircraft will be delivered and where they will be based, The Straits Times reported.

The first F-35 destined for the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) is expected to be delivered to a US airbase by the end of 2026, while Singapore is not expected to begin housing the jets locally until 2029.

Of the 20 aircraft ordered, 12 are F-35Bs, which the report said will be permanently ...