Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, Chief of IAF, has emphasised self-reliance as a strategic necessity for developing resilient indigenous defence capabilities.

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He was speaking during the 48th Flight Test Course graduation ceremony in Bengaluru on Saturday (May 23, 2026).

Eleven test pilots and six flight test engineers of the 48th Flight Test Course graduated from the Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS) on completion of a rigorous 48-week multidisciplinary training curriculum.

According to an official statement issued on Sunday (May 24, 2026), this year the graduating course comprised a cohort of 17 officers, including 14 officers from the Indian Air Force, one officer from the Indian Army, and two officers from the Indian Navy.

These graduates will join the Aviation Wing of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, which is one of the premier units of the Indian Air Force.

"Emphasising 'Atmanirbharta' as a strategic necessity for developing resilient indigenous defence capabilities, Mr. Singh highlighted the onerous responsibility that the test crew needs to shoulder to proliferate the nation’s indigenisation drive and strengthen the aerospace ecosystem," the statement said.

The IAF Chief highlighted the need to optimise 'design to delivery' time cycles while upholding the highest standards of safety and quality of equipment.

He further stressed the importance of professional competence to ensure that aircraft and systems meet the operational requirements of the services, while urging the officers to uphold the virtues of honesty, integrity, precision, and excellence.

He also exhorted the graduating officers to continue toiling hard with focus, and reminded them of the crucial role that they would go on to play towards capability building and modernisation of the Indian Armed Forces.

The Chief of Air Staff highlighted the onerous responsibility that the test crew needs to shoulder to proliferate the nation’s indigenisation drive and strengthen the aerospace ecosystem.

Mr. Singh, who is a distinguished alumnus of the 17th Flight Test Course, presented certificates to all graduating officers and awarded trophies to the meritorious performers.

This year, the prestigious 'Suranjan Das Trophy' for the best all-round student test pilot was awarded to Squadron Leader K.K. Singh, while the 'Chief of the Air Staff Trophy' for the best student test pilot in flight evaluation was awarded to Sqn Ldr Aditya Jamdagni.

The 'Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword' for the best all-round student flight test engineer was awarded to Wing Commander Abhinav Kumar. Wg Cdr Pranav Sharma was awarded the 'Dunlop Trophy' for best student flight test engineer in flight evaluation, and the 'Kapil Bhargava Trophy' for the best student in ground subjects was awarded to Sqn Ldr Paras Sharma.