Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh chose the indigenous LCA Tejas for his final fighter jet sortie before he retires on October 31. He took to the skies aboard the indigenous fighter aircraft during Exercise Tarang Shakti at the Jodhpur Air Force Station.
The Indian Air Force, announcing the sortie in a post on X on Monday, described it as a defining moment in the career of a fighter pilot who has always believed in leading from the front.
"A FINAL FIGHTER SORTIE. A LIFETIME OF PASSION. At the controls of the indigenous Tejas, the Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, takes to the skies for his last fighter sortie - a defining moment in a distinguished career shaped by an abiding passion for flying and an unwavering commitment to serving the Nation," the IAF said.
The force also shared a video of the sortie and photographs showing Singh flying alongside aircraft from friendly foreign countries and the Suryakiran Aerobatic Team during the multinational exercise.
The IAF said the final sortie marked the end of a chapter in Singh's flying career, but not his commitment to serving the nation.
"As one chapter draws to a close, the passion remains undiminished. The skies may mark the end of a flying chapter, but the mission of service to the Nation continues. Once a fighter pilot. Always a fighter pilot," the force said.
The LCA Tejas is an indigenous 4.5-generation, all-weather, multi-role fighter aircraft designed to undertake a wide range of combat missions. The aircraft is capable of offensive air support, close combat and ground attack operations. It is also designed to undertake ground maritime operations.
Singh's final fighter sortie took place during the second edition of Exercise Tarang Shakti, a multinational air exercise hosted at the Jodhpur Air Force Station from September 26 to October 12. Seven foreign nations participated in the exercise — the United States, France, Germany, Australia, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka and the United Arab Emirates.
The exercise also marked the first participation of the US F-35 multi-role stealth fighter jet in Tarang Shakti.
India showcased its major air assets during the exercise, which aimed to demonstrate the country's defence capabilities and strengthen interoperability among participating air forces.
