In a significant transition within the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal AP Singh officially took over as the new Chief of Air Force today, succeeding Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. Prior to this appointment, Air Marshal Singh served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff since February 2023.
Born on October 27, 1964, Air Marshal Singh brings nearly four decades of distinguished service to his new role. Commissioned into the fighter pilot stream in 1984, he has accumulated over 5,000 flying hours on various fixed and rotary-wing aircraft, demonstrating extensive operational experience and expertise.
An esteemed alumnus of several prestigious military institutions, including the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and National Defence College, Singh is recognized as a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot. His broad-ranging career has seen him undertake various command, staff, instructional, and foreign appointments.
During his tenure, he commanded an operational fighter squadron and a frontline air base, showcasing his leadership capabilities in high-pressure environments. His role as a test pilot is particularly notable; he led the MiG-29 Upgrade Project Management Team in Moscow and served as the Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre, where he oversaw the flight testing of the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas.
In addition to his operational roles, Air Marshal Singh has held several key staff positions, including Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command. Prior to his appointment as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command.
As he steps into his new role, Air Marshal AP Singh is expected to bring his wealth of experience and strategic insight to the leadership of the Indian Air Force, continuing to uphold its commitment to national security and operational readiness.
Sources By Agencies
