Amar Preet Singh flies last IAF sortie with his first flying instructor
File photo: Ministry of Defence (GODL-India), via Wikimedia Commons
IAF chief Amar Preet Singh flew his last sortie in uniform on a Kiran trainer at Dundigal on October 20, 2026, with his first instructor, before handing over on October 31.
What Happened
Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, the chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), flew his last sortie in uniform on Tuesday, October 20, 2026, at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal near Hyderabad, where he learned to fly more than four decades ago. He flew an HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer with his first flying instructor, retired Wing Commander V.S. Kochchar, and was given a water cannon salute on landing. Singh retires on October 31, 2026, when Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, now the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, takes over as the IAF's 29th Chief of the Air Staff.
Key Facts
- Who: Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, 28th Chief of the Air Staff, in office since September 30, 2024.
- What: his last sortie in uniform, flown on a Kiran trainer at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal, near Hyderabad, on October 20, 2026.
- With whom: his first flying instructor, retired Wing Commander V.S. Kochchar, 73, who called him his "brightest pupil ever".
- Earlier farewell flight: his last fighter sortie, in an indigenous Tejas, was on October 12 during Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur.
- Retirement: October 31, 2026.
- Successor: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, appointed by the government on October 6, 2026, to take charge on the afternoon of October 31, with a tenure reported to run until December 31, 2028.
Why It Matters
The change at the top of the Indian Air Force is an important institutional moment. The Chief of the Air Staff commands India's air power, advises the government on air defence, and leads decisions on buying aircraft, training pilots and preparing for operations. A smooth handover, announced well in advance, gives the force continuity at a time when it is working to modernise its fleet and build up indigenous aircraft such as the Tejas.
Singh's farewell sorties carry symbolism the force has chosen to highlight. His last fighter flight was in the Tejas, the light combat aircraft designed and built in India, underlining the push for home-grown defence equipment. His last flight in uniform was in the Kiran, the trainer on which generations of IAF pilots, including himself, first learned to fly. Singh described flying with his first instructor as completing a circle, and said he was grateful to the man who taught him to fly at the same academy.
The presence of a retired instructor alongside the chief at the academy sent a message about the value of training and mentorship in the service. Such ceremonies are part of military tradition, but they also help connect the force's leadership with young cadets who will become its future pilots.
For citizens, the leadership change was planned in the open: the government announced the new chief's appointment more than three weeks before the outgoing chief retires. Air Marshal Dixit's tenure, reported to run until the end of 2028, will cover a period of major aircraft programmes and training reforms.
Impact
Short-term: Singh completes his remaining duties before handing over on October 31. Air Marshal Dixit prepares to take command of the IAF.
Long-term: The new chief's priorities on fleet modernisation, indigenous aircraft and pilot training will shape the IAF through 2028. Singh's tenure will be remembered in part for his public emphasis on indigenous platforms such as the Tejas.
Who is affected: IAF personnel and their families; cadets at the Air Force Academy; the defence industry building aircraft for the IAF; and the government, which relies on the air chief's advice on national security.
Key Takeaway
IAF chief Amar Preet Singh flew his last sortie in uniform on a Kiran trainer at Dundigal on October 20, 2026, with his first instructor, ahead of handing over to Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on October 31.
Questions and Answers
Where did Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh fly his last sortie?
He flew his last sortie in uniform on October 20, 2026, at the Air Force Academy in Dundigal near Hyderabad, in an HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer, with his first flying instructor, retired Wing Commander V.S. Kochchar.
When does Amar Preet Singh retire as IAF chief?
He retires on October 31, 2026.
Who will be the next Chief of the Air Staff?
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, currently the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, was appointed on October 6, 2026, and takes over as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on the afternoon of October 31.
What was Singh's last fighter jet flight?
His last fighter sortie was in the indigenous Tejas on October 12, 2026, during Exercise Tarang Shakti at Jodhpur.
Disclaimer: Prepared by the Peepals newsroom from publicly available sources with AI assistance. Information is accurate to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication and may change. Images may be representative. Not professional advice. Report an error via our contact page.
Sourced and fact-checked by the Peepals Global Editorial Team
Ramayana universe: Namit Malhotra plans spin-offs as Sunny Deol's Hanuman is glimpsed
SML Mahindra Q2 profit falls 44% as raw material costs outpace 21% sales rise
Reported, fact-checked and published by the Peepals Global Editorial Team.
