In a defining moment that blended personal passion with professional leadership, Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal AP Singh took to the skies for his last fighter sortie aboard an indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft. The flight, conducted from Jodhpur Air Force Station during the multilateral Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, marked the culmination of a distinguished flying career as the Air Chief prepares to retire on 31 October 2026.
Keywords: Air Chief Marshal, AP Singh, last sortie, Tejas, fighter jet, final flight, Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, IAF Chief retirement, October 2026, indigenous Tejas LCA, Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, Indian Air Force leadership
Flying alongside aircraft from friendly foreign countries and the Indian Air Force’s Suryakiran Aerobatic Team, the sortie embodied the principle of leading from the front. The Indian Air Force described it as “a defining moment in a distinguished career shaped by an abiding passion for flying and an unwavering commitment to serving the Nation.” The exercise, themed “Power in Partnership,” brought together air forces of seven countries and 32 observer nations, featuring platforms such as the F-35, Rafael, F-16 and indigenous systems including the Tejas and Prachand.
Air Chief Marshal Singh’s choice of the Tejas underscored the growing maturity of India’s indigenous combat aircraft programme. The aircraft flown was the LCA Mk-1 variant, while the exercise also highlighted the forthcoming Mk-1A, expected to enter service soon. With over 600 sorties and nearly 800 flying hours logged during Tarang Shakti, the event reinforced operational interoperability and showcased India’s aerospace capabilities on a global stage.
Throughout his tenure, Air Chief Marshal Singh has been noted for his dynamic and forthright approach. He has spoken candidly on operational and strategic issues, including recent contingencies, projecting a confident image of the Indian Air Force. His leadership style has consistently emphasised operational readiness and self-reliance.
Beyond the cockpit, his energetic personality has resonated widely. A video of him dancing after participating in a marathon went viral, capturing millions of views and reflecting a zest for life that has earned him admiration across ranks and the public.
As one flying chapter closes, the mission of national service continues. “Once a fighter pilot, always a fighter pilot”, is a maxim but Air Chief Marshal AP Singh has lived throughout his career.
contact: drrajeshjauhri@gmail.com
Dr Rajesh Jauhri is a Journalist with an experience of over 25 years in Indian and foreign media, a Social Scientist, an Ac-complished Author, a Political & Strategic Analyst, a Marksman (Rifle & Pistol), an Orator, a Thinker and an Educationist. He holds a Ph.D. degree on “Impact of colonial heritage on Indian police”. He runs an NGO dedicated to the social and eco-nomic uplift of tribal communities in MP and two decades back, he established a school in a village of Indore district, providing education and moral values to children belonging to underprivileged and minority families. Has received multiple awards in various fields.
