Singapore’s Ministry of Defence has announced that Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian, currently Commander, 3rd Singapore Division will take over from Major-General (MG) David Neo as Chief of Army (COA) on 21 March 2025. MG Neo has served as COA since...
To read the full article, please log in or enter your email below:
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence has announced that Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian, currently Commander, 3rd Singapore Division will take over from Major-General (MG) David Neo as Chief of Army (COA) on 21 March 2025.
MG Neo has served as COA since 10 March 2022. During his tenure, the Singapore Army sustained a high level of operational readiness, broadened its capabilities, and enhanced interoperability with various government agencies. Major General Neo spearheaded the Army 2040 transformation plan, overseeing the implementation of new warfighting concepts, inter-service integration, procurement of advanced warfighting systems, as well as initiatives focused on workforce development, innovation, and digitalisation.
BG Cai, 40, joined the SAF in 2003 and was awarded the SAF Overseas Scholarship. An Armour Officer by vocation, he has held various senior command and staff appointments within MINDEF and the SAF. These include 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. 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 present COA, MG Neo, 47, joined the Singapore Army in 1996, and has served the SAF with distinction. He is the first Commando officer to be appointed COA, MG Neo served his junior command tours in the Commando Formation, and subsequently commanded the First Battalion Singapore Guards, 2nd Singapore Infantry Brigade and 3rd Singapore Division. He also held key staff appointments in the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) and the SAF, including Head of the Joint Plans and Transformation Department, Director of Joint Operations and Deputy Secretary (Technology).
During his tenure, MG Neo 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.
BG Cai, 40, joined the SAF in 2003 and was awarded the SAF Overseas Scholarship. An Armour Officer by vocation, he has held various senior command and staff appointments within MINDEF and the SAF. These include 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. 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.
Israel Shipyards has begun the construction of the first of five Reshef class warships for the Israeli Navy. The 2.8…
Russia has accelerated efforts to incorportate laser technology to some of its operational air defence systems. As part of continuous…
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions and Rafael Advanced Defense Systems on Thursday announced an approximate 50/50 partnership for the establishment…
Defence trade fair Euro Defence Expo (EUDEX) and the annual conference of the NATO Joint Air Power Competence Centre (JAPCC)…
Ramco Systems, a global aviation software provider has announced the successful implementation of its Aviation Software at Philippine Airlines for…
Singapore’s Ministry of Defence has announced that Brigadier-General (BG) Cai Dexian, currently Commander, 3rd Singapore Division will take over from…
Lockheed Martin has showcased a new counter-unmanned aerial system (C-UAS) solution in a recent field demonstration, highlighting its ability to…
The Indonesian Navy (TNI Angkatan Laut / TNI AL) has launched the service's second Bung Karno-class corvette, KRI Bung Hatta…
ASELSAN recorded revenues of 120 billion TL (over 3.2 billion USD) in 2024, marking a 13% increase from the previous…
ITA Airways and Lufthansa Group have initiated a codeshare agreement, linking their route networks for the first time. This arrangement…
Chemring has provided a trading update ahead of its annual general meeting, reporting a record order book of £1.35 billion…
TransNusa is set to become the first Indonesian airline to operate scheduled flights between Bali and Guangzhou. The airline will…
ANA Holdings and CFM International have announced an order for more than 75 LEAP engines, including both installed and spares.…
General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) recently demonstrated the first-ever Anti-Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability on an MQ-9B SeaGuardian. In a…
The French Defence Procurement Agency (DGA) has awarded the third phase of the Naval Force IP Network (RIFAN 3) contract…
Indonesia is proceeding with its plan to acquire Russian-made Sukhoi Su-35 fighter jets, according to Brigadier General TNI Frega Wenas,…
All Nippon Airways (ANA) Holdings Inc. has placed an order for 15 Embraer E190-E2 aircraft, with options for an additional…
Gebrüder Weiss, an Austria-based international transport and logistics company, has expanded its transport and logistics services in Poland, introducing national…
Semi Conductor Devices (SCD) has secured an order for hundreds of its Crane Mid-Wave Infrared (MWIR) detectors from a leading…
ELT Group has renewed its strategic partnership with the UAE by signing a Letter of Intent (LOI) with EDGE at…
EDGE and Fincantieri have signed a new Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) that extends and builds upon an earlier agreement in…
The U.S. Marine Corps successfully demonstrated an L3Harris Technologies solution for long-range precision fires from a vertical takeoff and landing…
ENEOS Corporation and Mitsubishi Corporation have agreed to carry out a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) study for a Sustainable Aviation…
FNSS has secured a contract to produce new-generation PARS ALPHA 8x8 and 6x6 armoured vehicles for the Turkish Land Forces…
SpearUAV has announced the appointment of Yiftach Kleinman as its new Chief Executive Officer (CEO). He replaces the company's founder,…
HAVELSAN has developed a new unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), BULUT, for reconnaissance and surveillance operations. The UAV has been added…
The Royal Thai Navy (RTN) has selected Navantia SA, SME, a Spanish state-owned shipbuilding company, to enhance the combat system…
The European Space Agency’s (ESA) Biomass satellite, built by Airbus, has departed from Toulouse and is en route to Kourou,…
American Rheinmetall Vehicles has rebranded as American Rheinmetall, a change intended to reflect its commitment to serving customers across all…
EDGE, an advanced technology and defence group, has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with Emirates Cable Corporation Interconnect (ECCI)…
Headquartered in Singapore with reporters spread across all major regions, GBP Aerospace & Defence is a leading media house that publishes three publications that serve the aerospace and defence sector - Asian Defence Technology, Asian Airlines & Aerospace and Daily News. Known industry-wide for quality journalism, GBP Aerospace & Defence is present at more international tradeshows and exhibitions than any other competing publication in the region.
For over three decades, our award-winning team of reporters has been producing top-notch content to help readers stay abreast of the latest developements in the field of commercial aviation, MRO, defence, and Space.
Copyright 2024. GBP. All Rights Reserved.
Home Defence & Security Space Commercial Aviation Maintence Repair & Overhaul Daily News Events About Us
2025 GBP all rights reserved.