Aaron Beng | |
|---|---|
| 👁 Image Vice Admiral Aaron Beng in 2024 | |
| Born | 1981 (age 44–45) |
| Allegiance | 👁 Image Singapore |
| Branch | 👁 Image Republic of Singapore Navy |
| Service years | 2000–present |
| Rank | 👁 Image Vice-Admiral |
| Commands | Chief of Defence Force Chief of Navy Chief of Staff – Naval Staff Head, RSN Strategy Office Director of the Defence Policy Office, Ministry of Defence Fleet Commander Squadron Commander, Formidable-class frigate Squadron Commanding Officer, RSS Intrepid |
| Alma mater | Yale University (BS) Naval War College |
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Aaron Beng Yao Cheng PPA(E) PPA(G) (Chinese: 孟耀诚; born 1981) is a Singaporean vice-admiral and Chief of Defence Force. Prior to his appointment as Chief of Defence Force, he served as Chief of Navy between 2020 and 2023. He is the first naval officer to serve as Chief of Defence Force, and the first to hold the rank of Vice-Admiral in the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF).
Early life and education
[edit]Beng was born in Singapore in 1981. His father, Arthur Beng Kian Lam, was the Member of Parliament (MP) for Fengshan SMC between 1984 and 1988 for the ruling People's Action Party.
Upon his graduation from Hwa Chong Institution in 1999, Beng was awarded the President’s Scholarship and the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship[1] to study at Yale University, where he majored in economics and electrical engineering sciences, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.[1]
Military career
[edit]Beng enlisted into the SAF in 2000.[1] He was Commanding Officer of the frigate RSS Intrepid and subsequently Commanding Officer of the Frigate Squadron.[1] He was also Director of the Defence Policy Office.[1]
Beng was appointed Fleet Commander in March 2019, before his appointment as Chief of Staff – Naval Staff in November 2019.[2] He was appointed Chief of Navy on 23 March 2020, where he served until 10 March 2023.[3][1]
Beng was appointed Chief of Defence Force on 24 March 2023. He is the first Chief of Navy to serve as Chief of Defence Force.[4][5][6] He was promoted as Vice-Admiral, the first person to hold this rank, on 1 July 2023.[7][8]
Personal life
[edit]Beng is married to Sharon Koh.[9][10]
Awards and decorations
[edit]- 👁 Image
Public Administration Medal (Military) (Bronze) in 2017 - 👁 Image
Public Administration Medal (Military) (Gold) in 2023 - 👁 Image
Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (10 Years) Medal with 15 year clasp - 👁 Image
Singapore Armed Forces Long Service and Good Conduct (20 Years) Medal - 👁 Image
Singapore Armed Forces Good Service Medal - 👁 Image
Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Service Medal - 👁 Image
Ordre national du Mérite (Officier) in 2022 - 👁 Image
Legion of Merit (Degree of Commander) in 2023 - 👁 Image
Bintang Jalasena Utama (Navy Meritorious Service Star, 1st Class) in 2023[11] - 👁 Image
Courageous Commander of The Most Gallant Order of Military Service (P.G.A.T.) in 2023[12] - 👁 Image
The Most Exalted Order of Paduka Keberanian Laila Terbilang, 1st Class (D.P.K.T.)[13] - Royal Brunei Navy Command Badge[14]
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References
[edit]- ^ a b c d e f "Aaron Beng named new Chief of Navy as part of leadership renewal". Channel News Asia. 25 February 2020. Archived from the original on 25 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ Lim, Min Zhang (25 February 2020). "Republic of Singapore Navy to get new chief from March | The Straits Times". www.straitstimes.com. Retrieved 30 December 2022.
- ^ "Change in Chief of Navy" (PDF). MINDEF – National Archives of Singapore. 25 February 2020. Archived (PDF) from the original on 23 February 2021. Retrieved 23 February 2021.
- ^ "RADM Aaron Beng becomes first Navy chief to be appointed Singapore's Chief of Defence Force". CNA. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
- ^ ANI (25 February 2023). "Singapore Chief of Navy to become Chief of Defence Force | The Australian Naval Institute". Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "First naval officer to be Chief of Defence Force will add value to SAF but has 'big shoes to fill': Analysts". TODAY. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "1,196 MINDEF/SAF Personnel to be Promoted". www.mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ Zachariah, Natasha Ann (28 June 2023). "Chief of Defence Force to be first naval officer promoted to vice-admiral". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
- ^ "Readout of U.S. Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Mike Gilday Meeting with Singapore's Chief of Navy Rear Adm. Aaron Beng". www.pacom.mil. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ Chia, Elisa (4 August 2024). "'What if Ong Lai has a friend named Jane?': Books inspired by presidential election, NDP and food". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. Retrieved 7 March 2025.
- ^ "Melebihi Panggilan Tugas, Panglima Singapura Disematkan Bintang Jalasena Utama". Indonesian Armed Forces Information Centre (in Indonesian). 20 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
- ^ "Agong kurnia 293 pingat kepada anggota tentera, Panglima ATM terima PGAT". Berita Harian (in Malay). 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
- ^ Pg. Siti Redzaimi Pg. Haji Ahmad (15 July 2025). "14 penerima dikurniakan Bintang-bintang Kebesaran NBD". Pelita Brunei (in Malay). Retrieved 16 July 2025.
- ^ "10 Dec 20 - Adding a Boost to Close Ties". www.mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- Living people
- Chiefs of the Republic of Singapore Navy
- Yale University alumni
- 1982 births
- 21st-century Singaporean people
- Recipients of the Long Service Medal (Military) (Singapore)
- Recipients of the Pingat Pentadbiran Awam (Tentera)
- Recipients of the Ordre national du Mérite
- Recipients of the Legion of Merit
- Singaporean people of Chinese descent
- CS1 Indonesian-language sources (id)
- CS1 Malay-language sources (ms)
- Articles with short description
- Short description matches Wikidata
- Use dmy dates from January 2022
- Date of birth not in Wikidata
- Pages using Template:Post-nominals with missing parameters
- Pages using Template:Post-nominals with customized linking
- Articles containing simplified Chinese-language text
- Place of birth missing (living people)