Change in Chief of Air Force

Major-General Kelvin Khong Boon Leong, the outgoing Chief of Air Force, has served the Singapore Armed Forces with distinction for 29 years since 1995.

Brigadier-General (BG) Kelvin Fan Sui Siong, currently Deputy Secretary (Policy) at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF), will take over from Major-General (MG) Kelvin Khong Boon Leong as Chief of Air Force on 22 March 2024. This change is part of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

MG Khong, 48, joined the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) in 1995. He served the SAF with distinction over the course of his career, during which he held several senior command and staff appointments. A fighter pilot by training, MG Khong operated both the F-16 and F-15SG fighter jets, and was the Commanding Officer of 149 Squadron, the RSAF's first local F-15SG Squadron. Other key appointments he held in the SAF include Head Air Plans Department, Commander Air Combat Command, Head Air Operations Department, Chief of Staff – Air Staff, and Chief of Staff – Joint Staff.

MG Khong led the RSAF as Chief of Air Force since 22 March 2019. Under his stewardship, the RSAF maintained a high level of operational readiness to safeguard Singapore's sovereignty, and achieved operational success across a wide range of missions. MG Khong was instrumental in sharpening the RSAF's capability edge. He led the attainment of full operational capability for the A330 Multi-Role Tanker Transport aircraft, the Aster 30 Ground Based Air Defence system, and oversaw the acquisition of the F-35 fighter aircraft to enhance the RSAF's operational edge. MG Khong also initiated people development efforts to ensure that RSAF airmen and women are ready for the future.

During his tenure, MG Khong led the RSAF through the COVID-19 pandemic, where the RSAF continued to defend Singapore's skies while concurrently supporting the national fight against COVID-19. Under his leadership, the RSAF also participated in several Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief missions, such as the delivery of humanitarian aid for Gaza, the airlift operations of Afghan evacuees from Qatar to Germany, as well as the bushfire and flood relief operations in Australia. In 2023, MG Khong also directed the conduct of the RSAF55 Open House at Paya Lebar Air Base, as well as a range of community outreach activities, to commemorate 55 years of defending our skies with fellow Singaporeans.

BG Fan, 44, joined the SAF in 1998 and is an Air Warfare Officer by training. He has held a range of senior command and staff appointments within MINDEF and the SAF. These include Commanding Officer of 163 Squadron, Head Air Plans Department, Director of the Defence Policy Office, Head Air Operations Department, Commander Air Defence and Operations Command, Chief of Staff – Air Staff, Chief of Staff – Joint Staff and Deputy Secretary (Policy). BG Fan drove many operations, capability developments, digitalisation and innovation efforts within the RSAF, and contributed to expanding our defence diplomacy efforts with various countries.  In 2024, BG Fan spearheaded the Total Defence 40 campaign and Singapore's inaugural Total Defence exercise, Exercise SG Ready, to enhance Singaporeans' readiness for crises and disruptions.

MINDEF expresses its deep appreciation to MG Khong for his sterling leadership and distinguished service to MINDEF and the SAF.

Brigadier-General Kelvin Fan Sui Siong, currently Deputy Secretary (Policy) at the Ministry of Defence, will take over as Chief of Air Force on 22 March 2024.