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The ceremonial farewell brings a 40-year military career to a close. The outgoing chief will inspect the guard of honour after his time as chief at Vayu Bhawan for the final time.
File photo of Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh (PTI photo)
The current Air Force Chief of India, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, formally ends his military career today. He retires as the Chief of Air Staff after completing a decisive 25-month tenure at Vayu Bhawan. The Indian Air Force will present him with a ceremonial guard of honour at the New Delhi Air Force Station today.
This marks the end of a leadership period defined by operational aggression and a massive push for domestic weapons. Singh leaves the force structurally ready for the next decade of combat.
The Final Salute And A Last Flight
The ceremonial farewell brings a 40-year military career to a close. The outgoing chief will inspect the guard of honour after his time as chief at Vayu Bhawan for the final time.
His final weeks in uniform were marked by deeply symbolic flying choices. He chose to command a solo sortie in the indigenous Tejas Light Combat Aircraft over Jodhpur earlier this month. This solo flight was a public endorsement of Indian aviation capabilities.
However, his very last flight as chief captured the most attention across the country. He chose to fly a Kiran trainer aircraft.
This was the exact same machine he trained on as a young flight cadet four decades ago. He spoke to the media after landing and described the experience as a dream come true. He noted with a smile that he is likely the only retiring chief whose basic training aircraft is still in active service. He also made it a point to publicly thank his first flying instructor, Wing Commander Kochhar.
The Viral Commander Who Spoke His Mind
ACM Singh built a reputation as a commander who never hesitated to speak his mind. His commitment to indigenous manufacturing was strong but strictly conditional on performance. He became the most vocal supporter of the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative in the defence sector. At the same time, he completely refused to accept compromised delivery schedules.
This straightforward approach became highly public during Aero India 2025. A video of his intense discussion with Hindustan Aeronautics Limited officials went viral on social media platforms. He was seen expressing clear dissatisfaction over delays in the Tejas fighter jet program.
It highlighted his refusal to let manufacturing delays affect operational strength. He later downplayed the viral video during a press conference and called it a friendly private chat. The stern message to the defence industry was, however, already delivered and well received.
Recently, during the air show in Banaras, when he was asked which formation was his favourite, he navigated out of the situation with a logic that one could never question: “You can’t ask a father ki uska kaunsa beta acha hai”. ACM Singh has been a favourite military officer on social media.
That Coffee Remark And The Stealth Fighter Joke
Beyond his strict operational focus, ACM Singh possessed a sharp sense of humour. He handled the national media with a rare mix of directness and wit. Another video of him went viral during a routine press briefing when he casually joked about needing to hurry up so he could get his coffee.
This comment made him popular on the internet and showed the highly human side of a top military commander.
He also knew exactly how to handle complex diplomatic questions with a smile. When reporters pressed him about the American F-35 stealth fighter aircraft, he offered a witty and direct response. While he responded that the United States never made a formal offer to India, he also added playfully that Indian airmen were deliberately kept far away from the advanced jet.
The response quickly diffused a sensitive geopolitical question while making headlines across the country.
Operation Sindoor And Tactical Reach
The defining operational moment of his tenure was Operation Sindoor in May 2025. The Indian Air Force executed massive cross-border strikes under his direct command. These operations covered an immense scale and proved the rapid deployment capability of the military. The strikes spanned 1200 kilometres in breadth and 200 kilometres in depth.
ACM AP Singh later spoke openly about the tactical success of this mission. He clearly stated that no target remains beyond the reach of the Indian Air Force today. He used the operation to highlight the absolute necessity of building a capability-centric force.
He constantly reminded his base commanders that military success does not rely on a single weapon system. It depends entirely on how the overall network operates together in heavily contested airspace.
Tackling The Fighter Squadron Shortage
ACM Singh took command of the force during a period of massive geopolitical friction and falling fighter squadron numbers. He tackled this shortage with complete pragmatism. He refused to wait for new aircraft deliveries to maintain combat readiness. Instead, he forced the rapid upgrade of existing fleets.
ACM Singh firmly believed that increasing the lethality of existing jets was just as important as buying new ones. His policies ensured the Air Force retained its offensive punch despite the drop in overall squadron numbers.
He frequently used historical examples to guide future planning. He openly discussed past aerial engagements to boost the morale of young fighter pilots. Officials in the Indian Air Force said that ACM AP Singh wanted the younger generation to understand that the man behind the machine ultimately decides the outcome of a dogfight.
Setting Deadlines For Future Projects
His public speeches consistently provided strategic insights for the defence community. He warned the military establishment against treating new technology as a magic solution. He clearly stated that the mere arrival of a stealth aircraft does not automatically translate into operational capability.
ACM Singh championed the inclusion of private industry in developing the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft. He also set strict and unforgiving timelines for the Tejas Mk2 program.
A Stellar Military Career
His military record remains stellar. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1984. His career spans an era of massive technological evolution in military aviation. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the National Defence College.
The government has awarded him both the Param Vishisht Seva Medal and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal for his distinguished service. Before taking over as the air chief, he honed his strategic skills in several key leadership roles. He served as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in New Delhi. He also led the Central Air Command as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, where he oversaw complex logistical and operational challenges.
The transition of power today at the New Delhi Air Force Station is both an end and a beginning. Air Chief Marshal AP Singh will formally hand over the command in a solemn ceremony. He recently called on President Droupadi Murmu at Rashtrapati Bhavan with his wife Sarita Singh for a final official meeting with the Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces.
He spent his last few weeks interacting directly with airmen across different forward bases and thanking them for their dedication. When he walks out of Vayu Bhawan today, he will leave behind a force that is strictly accountable and highly focused on self-reliance.
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Ask News18Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, takes over as the new Chief of the Air Staff.
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.jpg?impolicy=website&width=60&height=60 "Akash Sharma")
Akash Sharma, Defence Correspondent, CNN-News 18, covers the Ministry of Defence and Ministry of Railways. In addition, he also follows developments in the national capital. With an extensive experien…Read More
October 31, 2026, 09:10 IST
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