New Indian Air Force chief takes command

AIR Marshal Amar Preet Singh has taken command of the Indian Air Force (IAF), succeeding ACM Vivek Ram Chaudhari on Sept 30 as Chief of the Air Staff. ACM Singh had been Vice Chief of the Air Staff since February 2023.As a Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot, he has logged over 5,000 hours of flying time on fixed and rotary-wing aircraft.

ACM Singh was commissioned as a fighter pilot in 1984, serving in various command positions throughout 40 years of service. He had commanded a MiG-27 squadron and headed the MiG-29 Upgrade Project Management Team in Moscow. Additionally, he was the Project Director (Flight Test) for testing the indigenously developed Light Combat Aircraft, Tejas from Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL).

His other appointments include Air Defence commander at the South Western Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command, and Air Officer, Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command.

The new Vice Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar was appointed on Sept 25, who takes over from ACM Singh after his ascension to the IAF’s top job.

Air Marshal Dharkar is another qualified flying instructor, fighter strike leader, instrument rating instructor and examiner with over 3,600 hours of flying under his belt. He was also the first Director General of Defence Space Agency and headed the Eastern Air Command prior to his appointment as Vice Chief of Air Staff.-shp/adj/dl (Pix:IAF)