AP Singh Takes Charge as Air Force Chief

Pooja 21
17 Oct, 2024

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has assumed the role of Indian Air Force chief, succeeding Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari, who retired after serving for three years. Singh is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot with over 5,000 hours of flying experience on various fixed and rotary wing aircraft. He has commanded a MiG-27 squadron and a frontline air base, and also led the MiG-29 Upgrade Project Management Team at Moscow. In addition, he has held various command, staff, instructional, and foreign appointments during his nearly four-decade-long career.

Prior to taking up the position of Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Singh was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command. He also held important staff appointments of Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command. Singh was also the Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre, where he was responsible for flight testing the LCA, Tejas.

As the new IAF chief, Singh is expected to focus on planning and strengthening the operational preparedness of the IAF, including the induction of new fighter fleets and other platforms, while emphasizing self-reliance in the force. Additionally, he will likely prioritize the theaterisation plan as part of the government's ambitious reform initiative.