New Singapore Chief Of Army

AS PART of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF), the Singapore Army will receive a new Chief of Army (COA).

The current chief, Major General David Neo will hand over the reins to Brigadier General Cai Dexian on March 21, Brig Gen Cai is presently commander of the 3rd Singapore Division.

The incoming Brig Gen Cai joined the SAF in 2003 as an Armour Officer by vocation, holding various senior command and staff appointments within the Ministry of Defence and the SAF. These include Commanding Officer of the 48th Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment, Commander of the 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade, Head of the Joint Plans and Transformation Department, Director of Personnel Policy and Commander of the 3rd Singapore Division.

Brig Gen Cai drove many capability development and force transformation efforts for the SAF, such as establishing the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS) and developing the SAF 2040 long-term plan. Brig Gen Cai was also deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, as part of the SAF’s contribution to the international reconstruction efforts there.

His predecessor, Maj Gen Neo was the first Commando officer to be elevated to the Singapore Army’s top leadership position, serving as COA since March 10 2022. A MINDEF statement read, “Under his stewardship, the Singapore Army maintained a high level of operational readiness, expanded its range of capabilities, and enhanced its interoperability with government agencies. MG Neo led the Army 2040 transformation plan, steering the operationalisation of new warfighting concepts, inter-service integration, acquisition of cutting-edge warfighting systems, as well as development of workforce, innovation and digitalisation initiatives.”-shp/adj/dl (Pix:SG MINDEF)