The Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) welcomed Major-General (MG) Perry Lim as its Chief of Defence Force (CDF) this afternoon at a Change of Command Parade held at the SAFTI Military Institute. Witnessed by Minister for Defence Dr Ng Eng Hen, MG Perry Lim, the former Chief of Army (COA), received the command symbol from the outgoing CDF Lieutenant-General (LG) Ng Chee Meng. During the parade, LG Ng reviewed a Guard of Honour and the 13 marching contingents formed by servicemen from the Army, Navy and Air Force. 

MG Lim, who joined the SAF in 1990, has held several key appointments, including Commander 7th Singapore Infantry Brigade, Head Joint Plans and Transformation Department, Commander 3rd Singapore Division and Chief of Staff-General Staff. As Chief of Army, MG Lim strengthened the training and safety systems within the Army by overseeing the operationalisation of the Murai Urban Live Firing Facility (MULFAC) and Airborne-Trooper Training Facility (ATF) which enhanced training effectiveness while ensuring the safety of training troops. MG Lim also guided the implementation of initiatives recommended by the Committee to Strengthen National Service (CSNS) that included the formation of the SAF Volunteer Corps and the investment of additional manpower establishments in the training schools, which will be filled by more experienced regular trainers. Additionally, he was involved in the formulation and implementation of the new IPPT format to encourage greater ownership and motivate servicemen to improve their physical fitness. MG Lim also implemented a number of initiatives to strengthen positive changes in the NS administration, finance and logistics management systems. 

The outgoing CDF LG Ng was appointed as CDF on 27 March 2013 and has served the SAF with distinction since 1986. Under LG Ng's able leadership, the SAF consistently demonstrated its value in peace and also enhanced its capabilities to protect Singapore in the air, land and sea domains. Through his steady stewardship, the SAF achieved mission success for its international operations in Afghanistan and the Gulf of Aden, as well as for a range of Humanitarian Assistance and Disaster Relief operations in the region. In the area of capability development, he inducted systems and platforms to enhance the SAF's responsiveness across the full spectrum of operations. LG Ng has also been pivotal in strengthening defence cooperation to enhance the reputation and international standing of the SAF, positioning the SAF as a valuable defence partner. 

The change of command is part of the SAF's leadership renewal process. The parade was also attended by Minister of State for Defence Dr Mohamad Maliki Bin Osman, senior MINDEF officials and SAF officers, as well as the military diplomatic corps and other invited guests.