New Chief of Navy at the Helm

The Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) welcomed Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lew Chuen Hong as its new Chief of Navy (CNV) at a Change of Command Parade held at RSS Singapura – Changi Naval Base this morning. During the parade, RADM Lew took over the Navy's symbol of command from the outgoing CNV, RADM Lai Chung Han.

At the parade, RADM Lai reviewed a Guard of Honour contingent and five marching contingents formed by the various RSN formations, against a background of RSN ships and static displays. He also inspected the RSN ships in the base through a sail-past on board the Specialised Marine Craft.

The new CNV, RADM Lew, 41, joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 1995 and was awarded the SAF Overseas Scholarship. During the course of his military career, RADM Lew has held, amongst others, the appointments of Commanding Officer of the Missile Corvette RSS Vengeance, Deputy Commander of the Maritime Security Task Force, Head Joint Manpower Department, Head Joint Plans and Transformation Department, and Fleet Commander. Beyond the SAF, he also served as Director of the Research & Enterprise Division in the Ministry of Trade & Industry. RADM Lew has held the appointment of Chief of Staff – Naval Staff since August 2016.

The outgoing CNV, RADM Lai, 44, was appointed as CNV on 1 Aug 2014 and has served the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) with distinction since 1992. Under his leadership, RADM Lai ensured that the RSN maintained a high state of operational readiness and led the RSN to achieve mission success in both regional and international operations, including the RSN’s successful command of Combined Task Force 151 in the Gulf of Aden in 2016. He also led the inter-agency Maritime Security Committee in enhancing measures against maritime terrorism and piracy. Since 2014, RADM Lai spearheaded the RSN’s strategic redesign to structure, resource and deploy the RSN to meet future security challenges, including efforts to enhance the recruitment of women and mid-careerists for the RSN.  During RADM Lai’s tenure, the contract for the acquisition of two additional Type-218SG submarines was signed, and the RSN also took delivery of four Littoral Mission Vessels, of which the first-of-class, RSS Independence, was commissioned by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong on 5 May 2017. On the occasion of the RSN’s Golden Jubilee, the RSN hosted the inaugural Singapore International Maritime Review (IMR) on 15 May 2017 which was graced by President Tony Tan Keng Yam and saw the participation of 46 warships, four aircraft as well as more than 50 military delegations from 44 countries.

This change is part of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the SAF. The parade was witnessed by the Chief of Defence Force Lieutenant-General Perry Lim and attended by senior SAF officers, as well as servicemen and women from the RSN.