Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh Appointed as Next Chief of Air Staff, To Lead IAF From September 30

New Delhi, India- The Government of India has officially appointed Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, as the next Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Air Marshal Singh will take over from the present Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, PVSM, AVSM, VM, ADC, who is set to retire on September 30, 2024. Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh will assume his new role as the Air Chief Marshal on the same day.  

Born on October 27, 1964, Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh was commissioned into the fighter pilot stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1984. Over his distinguished career of nearly 40 years, Air Marshal Singh has served in multiple roles across command, staff, instructional, and international appointments, proving his expertise in both operational and administrative aspects of the Air Force.  

An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy ( NDA ), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC), and the National Defence College (NDC), Air Marshal Singh is also a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot. His vast flying experience exceeds 5,000 hours on both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft, reflecting his versatility as a pilot.  

Officer Well-versed in Command and Leadership Roles 

Air Marshal Singh has held command roles that underscore his leadership and tactical expertise. He has commanded an operational fighter squadron and a frontline air base, demonstrating his proficiency in fighter operations and his ability to lead and inspire.

One of his key contributions to the modernization of the IAF was his role as the leader of the MiG-29 Upgrade Project Management Team in Moscow, Russia, where he oversaw critical upgrades to one of the IAF’s frontline fighter aircraft. His work in this role helped to significantly enhance the operational capabilities of the Indian Air Force.  

As a Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre, Air Marshal Singh was also deeply involved in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas program. He played a pivotal role in the flight testing phase of the LCA, ensuring its operational readiness for induction into the IAF.  

Key Staff Appointments 

Apart from his operational command roles, Air Marshal Singh has held several high-ranking staff appointments, further enhancing his credentials as a strategic leader. He served as Air Defence Commander at the South Western Air Command, where he was responsible for the IAF’s air defence operations in a critical geographical region. He also held the position of Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO) at Eastern Air Command, overseeing operations in the strategically significant eastern sector.

Prior to his current appointment as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Singh served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Central Air Command. In this role, he provided operational leadership and strategic direction to air force units in central India, an area of immense importance for national security.  

Next Chief of the Air Staff 

As Air Chief Marshal, Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh will be responsible for leading the Indian Air Force at a critical juncture, overseeing its modernization efforts, operational readiness, and expansion of capabilities in both traditional and emerging domains. His deep experience in fighter operations, flight testing, and leadership roles in the IAF’s modernization programs will serve as valuable assets as the Air Force faces evolving security challenges.

Air Marshal Singh will also play a vital role in continuing the IAF’s ongoing focus on indigenization, working closely with the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) and other domestic defence industries to further bolster India’s self-reliance in defence production.