May 27, 2021, 05:47 PM
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The Israeli aircraft that circled Singapore's airspace before landing in the country was executing a "commercial product demonstration" for ST Engineering, a spokesperson from the technology and defence firm told Mothership.
The demonstration was carried out by Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), the spokesperson said on Thursday, May 27.
IAI is an aerospace and aviation manufacturer owned by the Israeli government.
The aircraft operated out of ST Engineering Aerospace facilities in Paya Lebar and the demonstration was carried out solely within Singapore airspace and territorial waters, according to ST Engineering.
The firm added that the demonstration has been completed and preparations are being made for the aircraft to depart Singapore.
News of the aircraft was first reported by Kuala Lumpur-based Defence Security Asia, which described itself a news site that's "dedicated to defence and security affairs in Asia".
According to Swedish-based internet service Flight Radar 24, which provides flight tracking information, the Boeing 737-400 with the registration number 4X-AOO was seen flying in Singapore's airspace for around four hours on May 24, before landing at the Paya Lebar Air Base.
Screenshot from Flight Radar 24 that shows the aircraft flying on May 24.
Screenshot from Flight Radar 24 that shows the aircraft flying on May 25.
Singapore shares deep defence ties with Israel that date back as far as the early days of Singapore's independence.
Its strong bilateral relations with Israel could be seen in 2012 when Singapore abstained from a resolution at the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA) to recognise Palestine as a non-member observer.
Nevertheless, Singapore has maintained that it supports the right of the Palestinians to a homeland as well, which was conveyed in a statement previously that welcomed the proclamation of a Palestinian state in 1988.
But the city-state has also stressed that it believes that only a negotiated settlement consistent with UN Security Council Resolution 242 can provide the basis for a long-term solution for both Israel and Palestine to live alongside each other in peace.
In 2017, Singapore was also one of the 129 countries that voted in favour of a UNGA resolution that called for the U.S. to drop its recent recognition of Jerusalem as Israel's capital and pledge to move the U.S. embassy there.
Top image via Flight Radar 24 & Mantis Services International
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