Aaron Beng

Aaron Beng
Vice Admiral Aaron Beng in 2025
Born1981 (age 44–45)
Singapore
EducationYale University (BS)
Naval War College
Military career
Allegiance Singapore
Branch
 Republic of Singapore Navy
Service years
2000–present
Rank
 Vice-Admiral
CommandsChief 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

Aaron Beng Yao Cheng PJG 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

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 Junior College in 1999, Beng was awarded the President’s Scholarship and the Singapore Armed Forces Overseas Scholarship to study at Yale University, where he majored in economics and electrical engineering sciences, and graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree.

Military career

Beng enlisted into the SAF in 2000. He was Commanding Officer of the frigate RSS Intrepid and subsequently Commanding Officer of the Frigate Squadron. He was also Director of the Defence Policy Office.

Beng was appointed Fleet Commander in March 2019, before his appointment as Chief of Staff – Naval Staff in November 2019. He was appointed Chief of Navy on 23 March 2020, where he served until 10 March 2023.

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. He was promoted as Vice-Admiral, the first person to hold this rank, on 1 July 2023.

Personal life

Beng is married to Sharon Koh.

Awards and decorations

References

  1. 1 2 3 4 5 6 "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.
  2. ↑ 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.
  3. ↑ "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.
  4. ↑ "RADM Aaron Beng becomes first Navy chief to be appointed Singapore's Chief of Defence Force". CNA. Retrieved 22 February 2023.
  5. ↑ ANI (25 February 2023). "Singapore Chief of Navy to become Chief of Defence Force | The Australian Naval Institute". Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  6. ↑ "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.
  7. ↑ "1,196 MINDEF/SAF Personnel to be Promoted". www.mindef.gov.sg. Retrieved 3 August 2023.
  8. ↑ 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.
  9. ↑ "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.
  10. ↑ 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.
  11. ↑ Rakshika, Vihanya (9 August 2026). "BlackRock, ResMed and Thales chiefs among MNC leaders honoured in National Day Awards". The Straits Times. ISSN 0585-3923. OCLC 8572659. Retrieved 10 August 2026.
  12. ↑ "Melebihi Panggilan Tugas, Panglima Singapura Disematkan Bintang Jalasena Utama". Indonesian Armed Forces Information Centre (in Indonesian). 20 September 2023. Retrieved 21 September 2023.
  13. ↑ "Agong kurnia 293 pingat kepada anggota tentera, Panglima ATM terima PGAT". Berita Harian (in Malay). 17 October 2023. Retrieved 17 October 2023.
  14. ↑ Pg. Siti Redzaimi Pg. Haji Ahmad (15 July 2025). "14 penerima dikurniakan Bintang-bintang Kebesaran NBD". Pelita Brunei (in Malay). Retrieved 16 July 2025.
  15. ↑ "10 Dec 20 - Adding a Boost to Close Ties". www.mindef.gov.sg. Archived from the original on 9 July 2023. Retrieved 9 July 2023.