Singapore’s Defence Minister Dr Ng Eng Hen has announced his retirement from politics after more than two decades of public service. He will not be contesting in the upcoming General Election, marking the end of his long and impactful political journey.
Dr Ng, 66, has been a Member of Parliament (MP) for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC since 2001 and has held various key roles in the Cabinet, including Minister for Defence since 2011.
Dr Ng shared the news during a press conference on April 18, saying it was time to step aside for new leaders. He said that leadership renewal is an important value of the ruling People’s Action Party (PAP), and he had informed Prime Minister Lawrence Wong some months ago of his decision. Dr Ng also thanked residents of his constituency for their support over 24 years.
He will be succeeded by Transport Minister Chee Hong Tat as the anchor minister for Bishan-Toa Payoh GRC. Dr Ng expressed full confidence in minister Chee, calling him capable and well-experienced. Chee has been active in government and community work for over 10 years.
Dr Ng is known for modernising Singapore’s military and guiding the Singapore Armed Forces (SAF) through times of change. He introduced two major plans — SAF 2030 and SAF 2040 — to strengthen Singapore’s defence and prepare it for future threats.
A trained cancer surgeon before politics, Dr Ng entered public service in 2001. He quickly rose through the ranks, becoming a full minister by 2004. He first served as Minister of State for Education and Manpower and later became the full Minister for Education and then Manpower, before focusing on defence.
As Defence Minister, Dr Ng led efforts to modernise all three branches of the SAF — the army, navy, and air force. The SAF 2030 plan, launched in 2014, brought in new equipment such as Terrex infantry fighting vehicles, Invincible-class submarines, and advanced aircraft to extend air power.
In 2024, he introduced SAF 2040, which included lessons from recent global conflicts like the war in Ukraine. The plan focused on drones, anti-drone systems, and digital technology. New armoured vehicles like the Titan IFVs were introduced, and Singapore’s navy and air force were also upgraded with smarter, unmanned systems and new F-35 fighter jets.
Dr Ng also improved training for SAF soldiers. In 2017, he announced Safti City, a next-generation training facility to give troops more realistic urban warfare practice. The first part of this training ground opened in March 2025.
In 2022, Dr Ng led the SAF’s biggest organisational change in years by forming the Digital and Intelligence Service (DIS). This fourth branch of the military focuses on cyber defence and digital threats. He also added digital defence as the sixth pillar of Total Defence in 2019, reflecting how important cyber safety has become for everyday Singaporeans.
On the global stage, Dr Ng strengthened Singapore’s defence ties with many countries. He signed key agreements with the United States and China, improved military cooperation with neighbours like Malaysia and Indonesia, and regularly attended major security forums, including the Shangri-La Dialogue and the Munich Security Conference.
One major incident during his time was the 2016 Terrex case, when nine SAF vehicles were seized in Hong Kong while returning from training in Taiwan. Dr Ng addressed the issue firmly in Parliament, defending Singapore’s training rights while respecting its one-China policy.
Under his leadership, the SAF also helped in humanitarian missions. These included helping in Aceh after the 2004 tsunami and sending aid to Gaza in 2023. During the COVID-19 pandemic, SAF personnel played a big role in contact tracing, logistics, and medical support in hospitals.
When asked about his advice for new politicians, Dr Ng said it is important to walk the ground and listen to residents. He said there is no shortcut in politics, as Singaporeans are smart and can quickly judge leaders.
Dr Ng joked that April 18 was his “Liberation Day”, hinting at his excitement for retirement. He said he has many interests and looks forward to spending more time on grassroots activities and other personal projects.
Looking ahead, Dr Ng believes the 4G leadership team is ready to take over, even if no team is ever fully prepared for every crisis. He pointed to the strong performance of younger leaders during the COVID-19 crisis and said he is confident they will handle future challenges well with the support of Singaporeans.
