Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian has been appointed as the next Chief of Army (COA) for Singapore and will officially take over the role on 21 March 2025. He is currently serving as the Commander of the 3rd Singapore Division and will succeed Major-General (MG) David Neo, who has held the position since March 2022. The Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) has stated that this transition is part of the Singapore Armed Forces’ (SAF) ongoing leadership renewal process.

MG Neo, who is 47 years old, was the first Commando officer to be appointed as the Chief of Army. Having joined the SAF in 1996, he has held a variety of command and staff positions throughout his career. His leadership roles have included commanding the First Battalion Singapore Guards, the 2nd Singapore Infantry Brigade, and the 3rd Singapore Division. In addition to his operational leadership, he has served in strategic roles such as Head of the Joint Plans and Transformation Department, Director of Joint Operations, and Deputy Secretary (Technology) at MINDEF.

During his tenure as Chief of Army, MG Neo played a key role in modernizing the Singapore Army and ensuring its continued operational readiness. He was instrumental in implementing the Army 2040 transformation plan, which introduced new warfighting strategies, improved coordination between the different branches of the SAF, and enhanced the army’s technological capabilities. Under his leadership, the army successfully resumed large-scale local and overseas training exercises that had been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He also strengthened international military cooperation by working closely with regional and global defense partners.

In addition to these strategic efforts, MG Neo oversaw several significant operations, including the disposal of one of the largest wartime bombs ever found in Singapore and the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. His leadership ensured that the Singapore Army remained well-prepared to respond to both national security threats and humanitarian crises.

BG Cai Dexian, who is 40 years old, has been a part of the SAF since 2003 and began his military career as an SAF Overseas Scholar. As an Armour Officer, he has taken on multiple leadership roles throughout his service, including Commanding Officer of the 48th Battalion Singapore Armoured Regiment, Commander of the 8th Singapore Armoured Brigade, Head of the Joint Plans and Transformation Department, and Director of Personnel Policy. His extensive experience in both operational command and strategic planning has prepared him for this new leadership position.

As the Commander of the 3rd Singapore Division, BG Cai has been actively involved in developing new military capabilities and advancing the SAF’s transformation efforts. He played a crucial role in establishing the SAF’s Digital and Intelligence Service, which focuses on cybersecurity and modern intelligence operations. He was also a key contributor to the SAF 2040 long-term plan, which outlines the future direction of Singapore’s defense strategy.

Beyond his contributions to military transformation, BG Cai has also represented the SAF in international operations. In 2012, he was deployed to Afghanistan as part of Singapore’s efforts to support global reconstruction initiatives. His experiences in both combat training and international cooperation have shaped his approach to military leadership.

The Ministry of Defence has expressed its deep appreciation for MG Neo’s service and leadership, recognizing his contributions to strengthening the Singapore Army’s operational effectiveness and strategic vision. As BG Cai prepares to step into the role of Chief of Army, the SAF is expected to continue evolving and adapting to meet the security challenges of the future.

Disclaimer: This image is taken from Ministry of Defence.