New Chief of Army Takes Command

Outgoing Chief of Army Major-General (MG) David Neo (left) handing over the command symbol to incoming Chief of Army Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian (right) at the Change of Command Parade held at Pasir Laba Camp today.

The Singapore Army welcomed its new Chief of Army (COA) today as Major-General (MG) David Neo handed over command to Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian at a Change of Command Parade held at Pasir Laba Camp this evening.

The incoming COA, BG Cai, 40, joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 2003. He has held various senior command and staff appointments within MINDEF and the SAF, amongst others, the appointments of 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. Over the course of his career, BG Cai drove many capability development and force transformation efforts for the SAF, such as establishing the Digital and Intelligence Service and developing the SAF 2040 long-term plan. BG Cai was also deployed to Afghanistan in 2012, as part of the SAF’s contribution to the international reconstruction efforts there.

The outgoing COA, MG Neo has led the Singapore Army since March 2022. 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. MG Neo also guided the Singapore Army to resume and expand local and overseas integrated, large-scale training and live-firing after the COVID-19 pandemic. He also expanded collaboration with the militaries of major powers and regional countries. The Singapore Army also successfully executed several operations, such as the disposal of one of the largest wartime bombs unearthed in Singapore and the delivery of humanitarian aid for Gaza.

In his farewell speech during the parade, MG Neo said, "We started in 2022 to make Army strong, to focus ourselves on strengthening safety, transform training, reimagine our everyday, operationalise Army 2040, nurture our people and strengthen our ability to conduct homefront operations... BG Dexian will bring strategic thinking, drive, and most importantly the desire to make every day great to be a soldier... I know you will give him every support in his leadership of the Army.”

This change is part of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the SAF. The parade was witnessed by the Chief of Defence Force Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng, and attended by senior officials from MINDEF and the SAF, as well as servicemen and women from the SAF.

MG Neo inspecting the Guard of Honour contingents.

BG Cai taking his oath as the new Chief of Army in the presence of Chief of Defence Force, Vice Admiral Aaron Beng, at the Change of Command Parade.