Singapore Navy to get new chief next month

SINGAPORE — The Republic of Singapore Navy will get a new chief next month, with Rear-Admiral (RADM) Lai Chung Han to be succeeded by RADM Lew Chuen Hong, who is the organisation’s Chief of Staff.

The Ministry of Defence (Mindef) said that the change of positions, to take effect June 16, is part of the continuing process of leadership renewal in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).

RADM Lai, 44, will be taking on a new role as Second Permanent Secretary for Education from June 19.

RADM Lew, 40, who holds a master’s degree in biology and in management, joined the SAF in 1995 and was awarded the SAF Overseas Scholarship. He has been Chief of Staff – Naval Staff since August last year.

Among other appointments, he has been Fleet Commander, Commanding Officer of the Missile Corvette RSS Vengeance, and Deputy Commander of the Maritime Security Task Force.

Beyond his stint with the military, he has also served as director of the research and enterprise division in the Ministry of Trade and Industry. 

Outgoing chief RADM Lai, 44, is a President’s and SAF Overseas scholar, who holds a Bachelor of Arts (Economics) from Cambridge University, and a Master in Public Administration from Harvard University.

He joined the SAF in 1992, and was appointed Chief of Navy on Aug 1, 2014.

He climbed the ranks to take several senior command and staff appointments in Mindef and SAF, including being Fleet Commander, Commanding Officer of the Missile Corvette RSS Valiant, and Commanding Officer of 188 Squadron.

RADM Lai led the Navy to achieve mission success in both regional and international operations, Mindef said, including the successful command of the Combined Task Force 151 in the Gulf of Aden last year.

He also led the inter-agency Maritime Security Committee in enhancing measures against maritime terrorism and piracy in Singapore, it added.

Since 2014, RADM Lai has been spearheading the RSN’s strategic redesign — to structure, resource and deploy the navy to meet future security challenges. He also initiated efforts to enhance the recruitment of women and mid-career professionals for the RSN, Mindef added.

During his tenure, the contract to acquire two more Type-218SG submarines was signed. The RSN also took delivery of four Littoral Mission Vessels, of which the first-of-class, RSS Independence, was commissioned by Prime Minister Lee Hsien Loong earlier this month.

On the occasion of its golden jubilee, the Navy hosted the inaugural Singapore International Maritime Review last week, which saw more than 50 military delegations from 44 countries as well as several military vessels taking part.

Noting that RADM Lai “served the SAF with distinction”, Mindef expressed its “deep appreciation” to RADM Lai for his “sterling contributions” to the ministry and the SAF.