New Delhi:

Air Marshal AP Singh succeeded Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari as the new Air Force chief today. Before assuming the charge, he served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff since February 2023.

Born on October 27, 1964, Mr Singh was commissioned into the fighter pilot stream of the Air Force in 1984. During a service spanning nearly 40 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff, Instructional and Foreign appointments.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College and National Defence College, the Air Officer is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot with more than 5,000 hours of flying experience on a variety of fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

During his career, he has also commanded an operational fighter squadron and a frontline air base.

As a test pilot, he led the MiG-29 Upgrade Project Management Team in Moscow, Russia. He was also the Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre and was tasked with flight testing of the Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas.

He has held important staff appointments of Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command. Prior to assuming the charge of Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command.

He is also a recipient of the “Param Vishisht Seva” Medal and the “Ati Vishisht Seva” Medal.

Chennai:

Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari on Saturday said warfare was undergoing a fundamental change with the emergence of new technology and radically newer doctrines.

He was reviewing the passing out parade by the contingents at the Officers Training Academy here.

“India’s security dynamics involves multi-faceted threats and challenges. It would require us to build multi-domain capabilities and execute operations simultaneously and in shortened timeframes,” he said and called upon the young officers to stay abreast with technological advancements.

These officers were joining the noble profession when the country was at the threshold of a technological transformation, he said. “Our Armed Forces have invested heavily in acquiring the next generation war fighting machines. You, as future operators of these highly potent systems, need to be fully conversant with them, and this can be achieved only through rigorous training, dedication and a professional approach,” the Air Marshal said.

As future officers, they must develop an understanding of the complex and dynamic world through the study of military history, geo-politics and international affairs.

Quoting Field Marshal Sam Manekshaw, he said the nation expected exceptional professionalism and unquestioned integrity from the officers. “We expect you to maintain the highest standards of personal conduct and moral values that reflect the dignity and pride of being in the profession of arms,” Chaudhari said.

Also, he urged them to be fair, consistent and selfless while at work and be compassionate and understanding when dealing with their subordinates.

As many as 184 officer cadets and 36 women cadets were commissioned into various arms and services of the Indian Army following their successful completion of rigorous training at the OTA here.

Additionally, three officer cadets and six women cadets from friendly foreign countries successfully completed their training, fostering bonds of camaraderie and cooperation across international borders, the OTA said.

The Air Chief Marshal presented the sword of honour and silver medal to AUO Aryan Shahi, OTA gold medal to ACA Shauryan Thapa and the bronze medal to BCA Saranya M.

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