Air Chief Marshal AP Singh officially took over as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) during a ceremony held at Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan, in Delhi today. With a distinguished career in the IAF spanning nearly four decades, Air Chief Marshal Singh succeeds Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari.
Commissioned on December 21, 1984, in the fighter stream, Air Chief Marshal Singh is a seasoned officer, having flown more than 5,000 hours on various fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot, recognized for his expertise across a wide array of aircraft. Throughout his career, he has held several key operational and staff appointments, including serving as Commanding Officer of a MiG-27 squadron and as Air Officer Commanding at an airbase.
Notably, as a test pilot, he led the MiG-29 upgrade project in Moscow and served as Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre, overseeing the flight testing of the indigenous Tejas fighter aircraft. In staff roles, he served as Air Defence Commander at HQ South Western Air Command and as Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command. Prior to his current role, he was Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
In his address, Air Chief Marshal Singh expressed his gratitude for being entrusted with the leadership of the IAF. He extended his greetings to all personnel, including Air Warriors, non-combatants, civilians, and their families, emphasizing his confidence in their dedication to maintaining the force’s operational capabilities.
He also acknowledged the contributions of IAF veterans, attributing the force’s success to their vision and leadership. Outlining his vision for a stronger and self-reliant IAF, he urged commanders to focus on nurturing leadership and fostering greater cohesion within the force. He also stressed the importance of maintaining operational readiness in light of the uncertain geopolitical environment, underscoring the IAF’s role as a vigilant and credible deterrent.
Concluding his address, the new CAS encouraged the IAF to continue upholding its rich traditions and strive to “Touch the Sky with Glory,” ensuring the IAF remains a powerful force in national defense.
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has been honored with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) for his distinguished service to the nation. (pr)