Air Chief Marshal AP Singh (F) and Gen Upendra Dwivedi on the cockpit of a Tejas at Aero India in Bangalore.
Bengaluru: In a historic event preceding Aero India 2025, the Indian Air Force chief, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh and the Indian Army chief, General Upendra Dwivedi, conducted a joint sortie in the indigenous light combat aircraft (LCA) Tejas at the Yelahanka Air Force Station, here, on Sunday. This marked the first instance of two serving chiefs of the Indian armed forces flying together in an indigenous fighter aircraft.
The sortie, lasting approximately 45 minutes, featured ACM Singh as the pilot and Gen Dwivedi as the co-pilot. Reflecting on the experience, Gen Dwivedi expressed profound admiration. Talking to reporters, he said, “It was the best moment in my life ... I wish he had met me earlier; I would have changed my option to the Air Force.” He humorously added that had he joined the Air Force, he would have become a fighter pilot and now considers Air Chief Marshal Singh his “guru”.
This unprecedented flight underscores the deepening synergy between the Army and the Air Force, highlighting enhanced jointmanship and operational integration. It also serves as a testament to India’s strides in achieving self-reliance in defense manufacturing, with the Tejas being a significant milestone in indigenous aerospace capabilities.
However, the joint sortie has not been without its critics. Some have raised concerns regarding the appropriateness of both service chiefs flying together, citing historical protocols established after past incidents. Former Northern Army and Central Army chief Lieutenant General Harcharanjit Singh Panag (retired) remarked that while it was a commendable photo opportunity, it potentially violated rules set since 1963, which discourage senior officers from flying together due to safety considerations.
Great photo op, but violation of rules applicable since 1963 for senior officers let alone two Chiefs not to be flying together. The rules were framed when two Lt Gens, one Maj Gen, one AVM and one Brigadier apart from the pilot lost their lives. https://t.co/3Lby0uh0Qb https://t.co/JxoLHJpf9p
— Lt Gen H S Panag(R) (@rwac48) February 10, 2025
Despite these concerns, the event has been widely viewed as a powerful demonstration of India's advancing defence capabilities and the growing integration between its armed forces. As Aero India 2025 commenced, this joint flight set a tone of collaboration and showcased the nation's commitment to indigenous defence production and operational excellence.
