SINGAPORE, Sept 29 — The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has begun using a new runway at Changi Air Base East as preparations continue for the eventual relocation of its Paya Lebar Air Base operations.

The Straits Times reported that the RSAF announced on September 28 that an aircraft had made the first take-off from the new runway earlier that day, while the Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said the service was moving operations from Runway 02R/20L to Runway 03/21.

The move is part of longer-term plans to relocate Paya Lebar Air Base from 2030 onwards, a redevelopment that will make way for homes, offices, factories and parks.

The relocation, announced in 2013, depends on Changi Air Base East and Tengah Air Base being expanded sufficiently to accommodate aircraft and other assets currently stationed at Paya Lebar.

The development at Changi Air Base East also has to be coordinated with other aviation projects, including the construction of additional runways for Changi Airport.

The new runway measures 3,660 metres long and 60 metres wide and was listed as operational from September 17 in an aeronautical information publication issued by the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore (CAAS) in July.

It is designated for RSAF use and cannot be used by civil aircraft unless arrangements are made in advance.

Among its features are hookwire cables and arrestor barriers that can help stop aircraft during emergency situations, while a Tactical Air Navigation system provides aircraft with bearing and distance information from ground stations.

Aviation Week Network Asia-Pacific editor Chen Chuanren told The Straits Times that the runway’s arresting equipment suggested fighter jets were likely to operate from it, while its length could also accommodate the RSAF’s A330 multi-role tanker transport aircraft.

The previous runway at Changi Air Base East will cease all aircraft operations from October 1, 2026 to April 14, 2027, according to a separate CAAS publication issued on August 20.

The 2.75km runway has been lengthened to 4km and will be repurposed for commercial flights as part of Changi Airport’s planned three-runway system serving the airport and the wider Changi East development, including the future Terminal 5.

Changi Airport Group said in April that the airport would use its second and third runways during the northern summer 2027 season, which begins at the end of March, with CAAS preparing for the three-runway system to come into operation by 2027.

Chen said the new runway would allow the RSAF to operate its aircraft with greater flexibility without having to contend with the demands of a civil runway.