Former IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria says Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh was visionary and strategic leader

Former IAF Chief, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria has said that Air Chief Marshal Arjan Singh was a visionary and strategic leader who had played a crucial role in the foundation of the Indian Air Force. Mr. Bhadauria said this while addressing the annual lecture on Marshal of the Airforce Arjan Singh in New Delhi in the presence of the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari. The theme of the annual lecture was “Legacy of Marshal of the Airforce Arjan Singh as a Visionary and Strategic Leader”. Recounting the contribution of Arjan Singh, Mr. Bhadauria said he devoted his entire life to the service of the Indian Air Force and the Nation. Mr. Bhadauria said his leadership and meticulous planning were paramount in the 1965 war against Pakistan. Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria said under the courageous leadership of Arjan Singh, the Indian Air Force expanded its repertoire from traditional tactical contribution to a prominent strategic force.

Marshal of the Air Force Arjan Singh, was born on 15 April 1919, in Lyalpur. He was one pilot who grew up in the annals of the Air Force as the first Chief for leading the force into war. He was Chief of the Air Staff when the IAF saw action in its first combat of the modern age in 1965. For his role in successfully leading the squadron in combat, Arjan Singh received the Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) in 1944. He was given command of the IAF Display flight flying Hawker Hurricanes after the war which toured India giving demonstrations. On 15 August 1947, he had the unique honour of leading the fly-past of over a hundred IAF aircraft over Delhi, over the Red Fort. In recognition of his services, the Government conferred the rank of the Marshal of the Air Force on Arjan Singh in January 2002, making him the first and the only ‘Five Star’ rank officer with the Indian Air Force.