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. This change is part of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

MG Neo, 47, joined the Singapore Army in 1996, and has served the SAF with distinction. 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).

MG Neo has served as COA since 10 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.

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.

MINDEF expresses its deep appreciation to MG Neo for his sterling leadership and distinguished service to MINDEF and the SAF.