Change in Chief of Navy

Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lew Chuen Hong, the outgoing Chief of Navy, has served the SAF with distinction for 25 years since 1995.

Rear-Admiral (RADM) Aaron Beng Yao Cheng, currently Chief of Staff - Naval Staff, will take over from RADM Lew Chuen Hong as the Chief of Navy on 23 March 2020. This change is part of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

RADM Lew Chuen Hong, 43, has held the post of Chief of Navy since 16 June 2017. Over the course of his career, he held several senior command and staff appointments in the SAF, including 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, Fleet Commander, and Chief of Staff - Naval Staff.

Since joining the SAF in 1995, RADM Lew has served the SAF with distinction. Under his leadership, the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) continues to safeguard Singapore's sovereignty 24/7. He also led the inter-agency Crisis Management Group that deals with maritime security risks such as terrorist threats, and oversaw maritime security operations during the DPRK-US Singapore Summit and the 2018 ASEAN Summit. RADM Lew also drove organisational changes and capability development to strengthen the RSN's operational readiness. These include the construction of the four Type-218SG Invincible-class submarines and the commissioning of all eight Independence-class Littoral Mission Vessels. He also initiated the Multi-Role Combat Vessel project to replace the Victory-class Missile Corvette. During RADM Lew's tenure, the RSN furthered Singapore's defence policy space as well, through co-organising and contributing towards the inaugural ASEAN-China and ASEAN-US Maritime Exercises respectively; and, as co-chairman of the ASEAN Defence Ministers' Meeting (ADMM)-Plus Experts' Working Group on Maritime Security, led the adoption of the Code for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES) by all 18 ADMM-Plus nations.

The incoming Chief of Navy, RADM Beng, 38, joined the SAF in 2000 and was awarded the President's Scholarship as well as the SAF Overseas Scholarship. He holds a Bachelor of Science from Yale University. During the course of his military career, RADM Beng has held, amongst others, the appointments of Commanding Officer of the Frigate RSS Intrepid, Commanding Officer of the Frigate Squadron, Director, Defence Policy Office, Fleet Commander and Chief of Staff - Naval Staff.

The Ministry of Defence expresses its deep appreciation to RADM Lew for his distinguished service and sterling contributions to MINDEF and the SAF.

RADM Aaron Beng Yao Cheng, currently Chief of Staff - Naval Staff (COS-NS), will take over as the Chief of Navy on 23 March 2020.