IAF chief AP Singh flies last Tejas sortie at Tarang Shakti before October 31 exit
File photo: Indian Air Force (GODL-India), via Wikimedia Commons
IAF chief Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew his last fighter sortie in a Tejas at Tarang Shakti 2026, the IAF said on October 13; he retires on October 31.
What Happened
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, the Chief of the Air Staff, has flown his last fighter sortie as head of the Indian Air Force, taking to the air in the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft at Air Force Station Jodhpur during the multinational Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026. The IAF announced the flight on Monday, October 13, 2026. The sortie was flown alongside aircraft from friendly foreign air forces and the IAF's Surya Kiran Aerobatic Team, under the exercise theme "Power in Partnership". Singh retires on October 31, 2026, and Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed the next Chief of the Air Staff with effect from the afternoon of that day.
Key Facts
- Air Chief Marshal AP Singh flew his final fighter sortie as IAF chief in a Tejas at Jodhpur; the IAF announced it on October 13, 2026.
- The flight took place during Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026, which ran from September 26 to October 12 at Jodhpur and nearby Rajasthan air bases.
- Seven foreign air forces took part as participants: Australia, the United States, the United Arab Emirates, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, according to the Ministry of Defence.
- Singh retires on October 31, 2026; Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will take over as Chief of the Air Staff from the afternoon of October 31.
- Singh was commissioned in 1984, has more than 5,000 flying hours and worked as a test pilot on the Tejas programme, according to reports.
Why It Matters
Choosing the Tejas for a final sortie carries a message. The Tejas is India's home-built fighter, and Singh was closely involved with it as a test pilot earlier in his career. His tenure also saw the MiG-21 bow out of service after six decades in September 2026. Flying the Tejas in front of foreign air forces at a multinational exercise highlights the government's push for self-reliance in defence.
Tarang Shakti itself is a key part of India's defence diplomacy. Hosting air forces from the United States, France, Germany, Australia, the UAE, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, along with observer nations, lets the IAF train with partners and showcase Indian equipment. The 2026 edition's theme, "Power in Partnership", reflects that aim.
The change at the top also matters. A new air chief from October 31 will set priorities on inducting new aircraft and on training with partner air forces. Leadership transitions in the armed forces are routine, but each chief shapes priorities for years.
| Point | Detail |
|---|---|
| Outgoing chief | Air Chief Marshal AP Singh |
| Final sortie | Tejas, Jodhpur, during Tarang Shakti 2026 |
| Retirement | October 31, 2026 |
| Successor | Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit |
| Exercise dates | September 26 to October 12, 2026 |
Impact
Short-term: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit prepares to take command on October 31, while the IAF wraps up Tarang Shakti 2026 with its foreign partners.
Long-term: The new chief's decisions on aircraft induction, including the Tejas, and on training with partner air forces will shape the IAF's strength through the coming years.
Who is affected: IAF personnel, the defence industry building the Tejas, partner air forces that train with India, and policymakers responsible for defence planning.
Key Takeaway
IAF chief AP Singh marked the end of his fighter-flying career in a home-built Tejas at Tarang Shakti 2026, weeks before handing over to Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on October 31.
Questions and Answers
When does Air Chief Marshal AP Singh retire?
He retires on October 31, 2026, and Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as Chief of the Air Staff from the afternoon of that day.
Which aircraft did AP Singh fly for his last sortie?
He flew the indigenous Tejas light combat aircraft at Air Force Station Jodhpur during Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026.
What is Exercise Tarang Shakti 2026?
It is a multinational air exercise hosted by the IAF from September 26 to October 12, 2026, at Jodhpur, with air forces from Australia, the US, the UAE, France, Germany, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh taking part.
What was the theme of Tarang Shakti 2026?
The theme was "Power in Partnership".
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
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