https://www.scmp.com/rss/523047/feed The latest news and top stories on A.P. Singh, Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. A former fighter pilot and experimental test pilot with over 5,000 flying hours, he has commanded squadrons and led projects including the MiG-29 upgrade and Tejas flight testing. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju India is finally set to induct its first two Tejas Mark-1A fighter jets later this month, replacing its ageing MiG-21 fleet after decades of delays and marking a milestone in its bid for military self-reliance, but analysts warn overreliance on foreign engines and production bottlenecks remain pressing concerns. Defence Secretary RK Singh announced the coming delivery on Saturday during a summit in New Delhi, describing it as part of a broader effort to build indigenous defence capabilities. The... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324066/indias-military-self-reliance-dream-takes-flight-first-tejas-mark-1a-jet-deliveries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3324066/indias-military-self-reliance-dream-takes-flight-first-tejas-mark-1a-jet-deliveries?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 02 Sep 2025 10:30:09 +0000 Bloomberg Bloomberg India’s top air commander has advised caution about an ongoing military overhaul that is the largest in seven decades, in a show of scepticism over a plan Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s government is embracing. “Disrupting everything and making one structure now at this time” may not be the best way forward, India’s Chief of Air Staff A.P. Singh said on Tuesday at a seminar to discuss new technologies and warfare. India should not pick up “theatre commands” from any other country, Singh said at... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3323284/indias-air-chief-urges-caution-over-modis-military-reforms-inspired-us-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3323284/indias-air-chief-urges-caution-over-modis-military-reforms-inspired-us-china?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 27 Aug 2025 04:45:11 +0000 Junaid Kathju Junaid Kathju As India shores up military upgrades with a 670 billion rupee (US$8.7 billion) defence package after its clash with Pakistan in Operation Sindoor, observers say New Delhi should be more transparent in its scope of foreign-bought equipment amid a push for self-reliance. The latest security splurge was approved on August 5 by the Defence Acquisition Council, under Defence Minister Rajnath Singh, aimed at delivering defence equipment across the army, navy and air force. The package will come under... https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3321470/indias-us87-billion-defence-splurge-sparks-calls-clarity?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/week-asia/politics/article/3321470/indias-us87-billion-defence-splurge-sparks-calls-clarity?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 11 Aug 2025 10:20:46 +0000 Reuters Reuters India shot down five Pakistani fighter jets and one other military aircraft during clashes in May, India’s air force chief said on Saturday, in the first such public claim by the country after its worst military conflict in decades with its neighbour. Pakistan’s Defence Minister Khawaja Muhammad Asif rejected the statement, saying India had not hit or destroyed a single Pakistani aircraft. At an event in the southern Indian city of Bengaluru, Indian Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh said most of the... https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3321326/india-downed-six-pakistani-aircraft-may-clash-air-force-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/asia/south-asia/article/3321326/india-downed-six-pakistani-aircraft-may-clash-air-force-chief-says?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 09 Aug 2025 12:10:21 +0000