AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff (CAS)

October 1, 2024

Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has officially become the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). This important event took place at the Air Headquarters (Vayu Bhawan). With his new role, he will guide the IAF into a new phase, bringing leadership and direction to the force.

Career Background

AP Singh was commissioned into the Indian Air Force on 21st December 1984. He has a wealth of experience, especially in the fighter aircraft division. He attended top military schools like the National Defence Academy and the National Defence College. Over the years, he has risen through the ranks, showing excellence and dedication.

Qualifications and Achievements

He is a Qualified Flying Instructor, meaning he trains other pilots.
He is also an Experimental Test Pilot, which involves testing aircraft under different conditions.
He has flown over 5000 hours on a wide variety of aircraft.
AP Singh has led a MiG-27 squadron and managed the operations of an entire air base.

Notable Projects

AP Singh played a crucial role in several major projects:

He led the MiG-29 Upgrade Project in Moscow, Russia, which improved the capabilities of this important fighter jet.
He served as the Project Director for the Tejas flight testing at the National Flight Test Centre, contributing to India’s homegrown Tejas fighter aircraft development.

Key Positions and Honors

Throughout his 40-year career, AP Singh has held many important roles, such as:

Air Defence Commander at South Western Air Command, responsible for protecting India’s airspace.
Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command, where he supervised air operations in eastern India.
He has been recognized for his outstanding service with two prestigious awards:
The Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM).
The Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).

His Vision as the New CAS

In his first speech as the Chief of Air Staff, AP Singh spoke about his commitment to leading the IAF during challenging times, especially given the uncertain global political situation. He emphasized three key ideas: