Bengaluru, India – Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, has underscored the critical importance of self-reliance in bolstering India’s indigenous defence capabilities. He made these remarks during the 48th Flight Test Course graduation ceremony held at the Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS) in Bengaluru.
Information was available with The Chenab Times that 17 officers, including 14 from the Indian Air Force, one from the Indian Army, and two from the Indian Navy, successfully completed the rigorous 48-week multidisciplinary training. These newly qualified test pilots and flight test engineers are set to join the Aviation Wing of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, a key unit within the Indian Air Force.
Air Chief Marshal Singh emphasized ‘Atmanirbharta’, or self-reliance, as a strategic imperative for developing robust indigenous defence systems. He highlighted the significant responsibility vested in the test crew to drive the nation’s indigenisation efforts and strengthen the aerospace ecosystem. The Chief of Air Staff urged the graduates to focus on optimizing ‘design to delivery’ timelines while maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality in defense equipment.
He further stressed the necessity of professional competence to ensure that aircraft and systems align with the operational demands of the armed forces. The graduating officers were exhorted to uphold virtues such as honesty, integrity, precision, and excellence in their future endeavors. Air Chief Marshal Singh reminded them of their pivotal role in capability building and modernization of the Indian Armed Forces.
The ceremony also saw the presentation of awards to meritorious performers. Squadron Leader K K Singh received the prestigious ‘Suranjan Das Trophy’ for being the best all-round student test pilot. The ‘Chief of the Air Staff Trophy’ for the best student test pilot in flight evaluation was awarded to Sqn Ldr Aditya Jamdagni. Wing Commander Abhinav Kumar was honored with the ‘Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword’ as the best all-round student flight test engineer. Additionally, Wg Cdr Pranav Sharma received the ‘Dunlop Trophy’ for best student flight test engineer in flight evaluation, and Sqn Ldr Paras Sharma was awarded the ‘Kapil Bhargava Trophy’ for best student in ground subjects.
Air Chief Marshal Singh, himself a distinguished alumnus of the 17th Flight Test Course, personally presented certificates to all graduating officers, acknowledging their achievement and commitment to national security through technological advancement and indigenous development.
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The Chenab Times News Desk
