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Media Brief: Chief of the Air Staff

Sub Title : As Air Chief Marshal AP Singh took over as the new Chief of the IAF

Issues Details : Vol 18 Issue 4 Sep – Oct 2024

Author : Defstrat Editorial Team

Page No. : 36

Category : Military Affairs

: October 8, 2024

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, PVSM, AVSM, Chief of the Air Staff

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh took over as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) at a ceremony at Air Headquarters on 30

September 2024. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 21 December 1984 and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and National Defence College. A Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot, he has accumulated over 5000 flying hours on both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.

His notable tenures include commanding a MiG-27 Squadron and an air base. He also led the MiG 29 Upgrade Project in Moscow, and served as Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre for the Tejas program. Throughout his four-decade career, he has held key staff positions, including Air Defence Commander at HQ South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command. Prior to his current role, he served as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).

Strengthening the Skies: IAF’s Vision for Indigenous Arsenal by 2047

Ahead of Air Force Day, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh addressed the media on 04 Oct 2024, and emphasised the importance of having indigenous weapons systems to effectively address any future security threats.

Speaking to the media, the IAF chief stated, “We need to chart the path for the procurement of 114 new fighter aircraft. Currently, we are exploring options under DAP-2020 for the multi-role fighter program, with a focus on ensuring the aircraft are Made in India. By 2047, the Indian Air Force aims to have its entire inventory domestically produced.”

He further mentioned the induction of advanced long-range surface-to-air guided weapons such as the Kusha. He added, “A significant number of Akash missiles have already been integrated, and we’re now considering the Akash NG variant. Relying on external sources can lead to vulnerabilities, but if we aim to conduct warfare at the scale we’re witnessing — with 200-300 missiles fired — we need to ensure indigenous production.”

The Air Chief also addressed the situation along the Line of Actual Control, highlighting India’s swift efforts to bolster border infrastructure, akin to China’s advancements. “In Eastern Ladakh, infrastructure development on the other side is progressing rapidly. We are keeping pace, with new airfields being established in Nyoma and existing facilities being strengthened. Central sector airfields are also undergoing upgrades,” he said.

In light of production challenges, particularly with the Tejas aircraft, ACM AP Singh stressed the need for private sector involvement. “It’s widely acknowledged that the production of Tejas has faced delays. The promise of delivering 24 aircraft annually must be fulfilled. We must involve private industry to address the challenges, as HAL also faces certain limitations. Given the scale of the task, private industry participation is crucial to meet production goals.”

Responding to a question on China the ACM A P Singh stated that India surpasses China in human factors and training but has fallen behind in technological advancements and production rates of defence equipment. He emphasised the urgency of increasing domestic fighter jet production, involving the private sector in these efforts. In response to a question, ACM Singh also mentioned that Russia has pledged to deliver the remaining two S-400 air defence regiments by next year.

“We have conducted our analysis. We do not have a design to act offensively without provocation. However, if we are pushed, we will take action.  We have solid plans in place. One area where we can confidently say we are ahead is in training. Our exposure and interactions with various Air Forces are superior. We understand their training methods and the number of air forces they collaborate with, and we can say we are far ahead in this regard. In terms of the human element, the people behind the machines, we are significantly ahead of our adversaries,” ACM Singh stated during the annual press conference ahead of Air Force Day on October 8, 2024.

In terms of technology, however, he acknowledged that India is currently lagging a bit. “We were previously ahead in technology as well, but we have fallen behind and must catch up. Regarding production rates, we are well behind and need to address this. This will take time; it cannot happen overnight,” he added.

Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh took over as the Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) at a ceremony at Air Headquarters on 30 September 2024. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 21 December 1984 and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and National Defence College. A Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot, he has accumulated over 5000 flying hours on both fixed-wing and rotary aircraft.

His notable tenures include commanding a MiG-27 Squadron and an air base. He also led the MiG 29 Upgrade Project in Moscow, and served as Project Director (Flight Test) at the National Flight Test Centre for the Tejas program. Throughout his four-decade career, he has held key staff positions, including Air Defence Commander at HQ South Western Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at Eastern Air Command. Prior to his current role, he served as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM).