Using online flight tracking service Flightradar24, the X (formerly known as Twitter) social media accounts claimed that Singapore fighter jets had been deployed in response to a “Malaysian-registered helicopter” entering Singapore’s airspace.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force has deployed two of its F-16 fighter jets in response to the presence of a Malaysian civilian helicopter believed to have entered the republic’s airspace today.

According to a statement by Singapore’s Ministry of Defence and the republic’s Civil Aviation Authority (CAAS), the foreign helicopter is civilian and owned by a company.

“Civil inspection showed that the helicopter was a civilian type and registered to a foreign company.”

“After ensuring that (Singapore’s) security is not compromised, the F-16s have (returned to base),” according to the statement, adding that the fighter jets were deployed at 12.40pm.

Statements by the two agencies were quoted by local media, Channel News Asia.

Operations at Changi Airport were affected for 40 minutes between 12.50pm and 1.28pm, according to authorities.

A total of nine landing flights and 11 departing flights were delayed.

Singapore’s Ministry of Defence and CAAS gave their reaction to Channel News Asia’s inquiries after several X accounts (formerly known as Twitter) reported about the incident this afternoon.

Using online flight tracking service Flightradar24, the X accounts claimed that Singapore fighter jets had been deployed in response to “Malaysian-registered helicopters” entering Singapore airspace.

International flights to Singapore were also affected according to some X accounts today.

The Republic of Singapore Air Force F-16s were deployed from Tengah Air Base and the Malaysian civilian helicopter that allegedly entered the republic’s airspace was of the AS350 or “Squirrel” type.

Singapore celebrates its 58th Independence Day today and celebrations to celebrate are held on a grand scale including a parade of military assets and fighter jet flyovers.

The same incident happened on 11 Sept 2021 when Singapore scrambled two F-16 fighter jets equipped with AIM-9 and AIM-120 air-to-air missiles after a Royal Malaysian Police (PDRM) helicopter was said to have flown near the airspace of Pulau Tekong, the republic.