NS MARK - Key Persons
Vice Admiral (VADM) Aaron Beng joined the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in 2000. VADM Beng spent his formative years in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) aboard the Victory-class missile corvettes and thereafter the Formidable-class frigates. VADM Beng commanded the frigate RSS Intrepid from 2013 to 2014, and the Formidable-class frigate squadron from 2016 to 2017. VADM Beng also served as the Fleet Commander of the RSN. His notable staff appointments, amongst others, included the Chief of Staff (Naval Staff) and Director, Policy Office. VADM Beng served as the Chief of Navy (CNV) before being appointed as the Chief of Defence Force (CDF).
As the CNV, VADM Beng steered the RSN through the COVID-19 pandemic while continuing to safeguard Singapore's sovereignty and security. Under VADM Beng's leadership, the RSN pursued organisational changes and capability development to prepare for the future. These included the operationalisation of the Maritime Security and Response Flotilla; strengthening of the RSN's Engineering and Logistics system; launch of the second and third Invincible-class submarines; and the operationalisation of a Whole-of-Government sense-making system to improve inter-agency security coordination at sea. The RSN also furthered Singapore's defence policy space during the pandemic through COVID-19 safe exercises at sea, virtual engagements with defence partners, and the safe conduct of the 7th International Maritime Security Conference which was the first large-scale maritime conference held since the start of the pandemic.
Job Titles:
- Deputy Secretary ( Policy )
Job Titles:
- Chief of Staff - Joint Staff / SAF Inspector - General / Chief Sustainability Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief Warrant Officer
- Sergeant Major of the Army, Singapore Army / Chief Warrant Officer
Job Titles:
- Chief of Army, Singapore Army
- Chief of Digital and Intelligence Service / Director Military Intelligence
Dr Ng Eng Hen has served as the Minister for Defence since 2011. He previously served as the Minister for Manpower from 2004 to 2008 and Minister for Education from 2008 to 2011, as well as the Leader of the House in Parliament from 2011 to 2015. Dr Ng is also the Chairman of SAFRA Board of Governors.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force
- Chief of Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy
- Member of the Singapore Administrative Service and Had Been Seconded to the Ministry of Trade
BG Fan is also a member of the Singapore Administrative Service and had been seconded to the Ministry of Trade and Industry, where he was responsible for developing tourism policies such as the Integrated Resorts. He has served on the Boards of Changi Airport Group and the Defence Collective Singapore.
Job Titles:
- Chief of Air Force, Republic of Singapore Air Force
- Chief of Digital and Intelligence Service / Director Military Intelligence
MG Lee Yi-Jin joined the SAF in 1999 and spent his formative years in the Artillery. He went on to serve in various command appointments, including Commanding Officer of the 21st Battalion, Singapore Artillery; Commander of the 3rd Singapore Infantry Brigade; and Commander of the 6th Singapore Division/ Headquarters Sense and Strike. During the national fight against Covid-19, MG Lee oversaw national contact tracing operations as the Commander of the Health Surveillance Task Force.
MG Lee has also held various staff appointments within MINDEF and the SAF, including Assistant Chief of the General Staff (Plans) in the Army and Group Chief, Policy and Strategy/MINDEF Transformation at MINDEF. Most recently, as Director Military Intelligence (DMI)/Chief of Command, Control, Communications, Computers and Intelligence (C4I), he helped to lay the foundations for the establishment of the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS).
MG Lee graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in Economics from the University of Chicago and a Master of Arts in International Policy Studies from Stanford University. He attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College, where he was awarded the General Dwight D. Eisenhower Award as the top international graduate. In 2016, MG Lee was conferred the Public Administration Medal-Bronze (Military).
Job Titles:
- Permanent Secretary ( Defence )
Mr Heng Chee How is appointed Senior Minister of State for Defence in May 2018. He is a Member of Parliament for the Jalan Besar GRC. He is also a Deputy Secretary-General of the National Trades Union Congress. Prior to this, Mr Heng held appointments in the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of National Development and the Ministry of Trade & Industry. He was also formerly the Mayor of the Central Singapore District.
Job Titles:
- Permanent Secretary ( Defence Development )
Job Titles:
- Deputy Secretary ( Technology ) / Future Systems and Technology Architect
Job Titles:
- Deputy Secretary ( Administration )
Job Titles:
- Chief Expert, Digital and Intelligence Service
Job Titles:
- Air Force Command Chief, Republic of Singapore Air Force
- Master Chief Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy
Job Titles:
- Chief Warrant Officer
- Master Chief Navy, Republic of Singapore Navy
Job Titles:
- Rear Admiral
- Singapore Armed Forces Sergeant Major / Chief Warrant Officer
Rear Admiral (RADM) (Two-Star) Sean Wat, a Naval Officer by training, was enlisted into the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) in January 2002. He was awarded the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship, and graduated from Stanford University in 2006 with a Bachelor of Arts and Science (Mathematics and Philosophy) and a Master of Science (Management Science and Engineering). He also attended the United States Naval Command and Staff Course, conducted at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island from 2013-2014, and earned a Master of Business Administration from the Massachusetts Institute of Technology in 2019.
RADM Wat spent his formative years in the Republic of Singapore Navy (RSN) aboard the Victory-class missile corvettes and thereafter the Formidable-class frigates. He assumed command of the frigate RSS Supreme from 2014 to 2016, and led the ship to clinch the Squadron "Best Ship" and "Top Gun" awards. RADM Wat also served as Deputy Commander Maritime Security Task Force / Maritime Security Command from 2019 to 2020, and as Fleet Commander from 2022 to 2023.
Ashore, RADM Wat was Director of the Defence Policy Office at the Ministry of Defence (MINDEF) from 2021 to 2022. In this role, he oversaw the foreign interactions and defence policy of MINDEF and the SAF. RADM Wat also served as Head, Force Transformation Office, Joint Plans and Transformation Department, between 2016 and 2018, where he was responsible for long-term planning and capability development efforts for the SAF.
VADM Beng was awarded the President's Scholarship and SAF Overseas Scholarship in 2000. He graduated from Yale University in 2004 with a Bachelor's degree in Economics and Engineering Sciences (Electrical). He also attended the United States Naval Command and Staff Course, conducted at the United States Naval War College in Newport, Rhode Island in 2012.