Sept 10 (Reuters) - Singapore plans to acquire four

Boeing P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft, a

statement from the country's defence ministry said on Wednesday.

The order is the first phase in a refresh of the Singapore

Armed Forces maritime security capabilities. The aircraft will

replace existing Fokker 50 planes, which have been in service

since 1993, the statement said.

It did not disclose the value of the deal. Boeing ( BA ) did not

immediately respond to a request for comment.

Singapore's Minister for Defence Chan Chun Sing added that

production of 20 Lockheed Martin F-35 fighter jets that

Singapore has on order has begun and they are on track for

delivery from the end of 2026.

Chan met U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth at the

Pentagon on Wednesday.

Hegseth welcomed him to the "newly minted Department of

War".

U.S. President Donald Trump has ordered the name change, but

that will require action by Congress.