New Delhi: Indian Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh is set to retire on October 31, 2026, after a series of official farewell events marking the end of his tenure. The final transition came as Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit prepares to take over as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff from the afternoon of October 31, following the government’s appointment announcement earlier this month.
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Singh’s final days in office followed several ceremonial milestones, including his last fighter sortie aboard the indigenous Tejas during Exercise Tarang Shakti and his final flying sortie on the HJT-16 Kiran Mk-1 trainer on October 20. The Kiran flight holds personal significance, as he flied alongside his first flying instructor, Wing Commander V. S. Kochar (retd), bringing his flying journey full circle.
However, the traditional farewell golfing event planned for Singh is cancelled after the Air Force Sports Complex on Lok Kalyan Marg in New Delhi closed until further notice. The closure came amid a wider government efforts to reclaim land in the area; reports said that the facility’s shutdown prompted the cancellation of the event.
Singh took over as Chief of the Air Staff in September 2024 and has led the IAF through a period of operational activity and modernisation. During Air Force Day earlier this month, he highlighted the force’s preparedness and its performance during Operation Sindoor, stressing the importance of air power in modern conflicts.
With Singh’s retirement, Dixit assumes command at a time when the IAF continues to focus on combat readiness, modernisation and strengthening its operational capabilities. The leadership transition takes effect on October 31.
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