Singapore will strengthen four core pillars of its aviation and aerospace (A&A) sectors to give companies greater confidence to operate, invest and scale here over the long term, Deputy Prime Minister Gan Kim Yong said during his opening speech at the Singapore Airshow on 2 February 2026.
Besides developing a highly skilled and adaptable workforce, he shared that the Government will also focus on strengthening partnerships across the A&A sector, deepening research and development (R&D) and innovation capabilities, and establishing long-term infrastructure investments that would encourage businesses to anchor and expand in Singapore.
“Aviation and aerospace will remain central to Singapore’s growth story as a trusted and connected hub in an uncertain world. Together, they connect Singapore to the world, create good jobs for Singaporeans, and anchor high-value capabilities here at home,” said Mr Gan, who is also the Minister for Trade and Industry.
Training, Retraining and Retaining Talent
Mr Gan shared that as technology evolves and operations become more complex in the A&A sector, demand for skilled, adaptable workers will grow.
On 18 July 2025, the Government announced that $200 million would allocated to the OneAviation Manpower Fund to attract, develop, and retain talent across the A&A sectors.
But beyond that, Mr Gan said that industry–academia collaboration is also being strengthened across several fronts.
They include company training facilities that simulate real-world maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) environments using technologies such as AI, augmented reality and robotics; work-study programmes at Institutes of Higher Learning; and Workforce Singapore’s Career Conversion Programmes, which provide salary support for job redesign and reskilling of mid-career workers.
“These efforts ensure that Singaporeans can access good jobs in these sectors, and that companies here can continue to draw on a deep and capable talent base,” said Mr Gan.
Strengthening Partnerships
According to Mr Gan, a key reason why many companies choose to anchor their business in Singapore is the ecosystem here.
“This is why global companies such as GE Aerospace, Rolls-Royce and RTX have established best-in-class facilities in Singapore,” he said.
He shared that these global companies are supported by a strong base of nearly 3,000 precision engineering companies, which can help them build resilience and uplift themselves into higher-value activities.
Deepening Our R&D
Singapore is strengthening its R&D and innovation edge in aerospace by anchoring advanced manufacturing, avionics and next-generation aircraft capabilities, said Mr Gan.
Initiatives include A*STAR’s Singapore Aerospace Programme, industry joint labs with firms such as Rolls-Royce, and test-bedding platforms like the Aerospace Open Innovation Challenge.
“Our approach is to build platforms where companies can co-develop, testbed and scale solutions globally,” he said.
Establishing Long-Term Infrastructure
And from training talent to increasing R&D, Mr Gan said these are all supported by Singapore’s long-term investments in world-class infrastructure.
Citing the construction and development of the new Changi Terminal five, Changi East Development and Seletar Aerospace Park as examples, he said that these investments are about “giving companies the confidence to anchor long-horizon investments, innovate, and grow from Singapore”.
“By strengthening our partnerships, talent base, R&D and innovation capabilities and infrastructure, we will keep these twin engines of growth resilient, competitive and future-ready, and contribute meaningfully to the future of global aviation and aerospace,” he said.