Date of Birth : April 15, 1919
Place of birth : Lyallpur Dist (Pun)
Service : Air Force, Army
Last Rank : Marshal of the IAF
Arm/Regt : Indian Air Force
Awards : DFC
Marshal Of The IAF Arjan Singh DFC
MIAF Arjan Singh was born on 15 April 1919 in Lyallpur, Punjab, in undivided India (now in present-day Pakistan), into a distinguished military family with a proud tradition of service. From an early age, he was surrounded by strong influences of discipline, duty, and patriotism, which would later shape his own illustrious career in the armed forces. His family’s association with the military spanned several generations. His father served in the renowned Hodson’s Horse, holding the rank of Lance Daffadar at the time of MIAF Arjan Singh’s birth and eventually retiring as a Risaldar in the Cavalry. Continuing this legacy, his grandfather, Risaldar Major Hukam Singh, and great-grandfather, Naib Risaldar Sultana Singh, had also served with distinction in the Army.
Growing up in such an environment, where service to the nation was both an honour and a tradition, instilled in MIAF Arjan Singh a deep sense of responsibility and commitment. This strong familial legacy of military service laid the foundation for his future path, ultimately guiding him towards a life dedicated to the defence of the nation and earning him a place among India’s most respected military leaders.
Military Career
MIAF Arjan Singh began his remarkable journey in military aviation at a young age. At just 19, he was selected for the prestigious Empire Pilot Training Course at RAF Cranwell, marking the start of a distinguished career in the skies. Upon commissioning, his first operational assignment was with No. 1 Squadron of the Royal Indian Air Force, where he flew Westland Wapiti aircraft in the challenging terrain of the North-West Frontier Province. During World War II, Arjan Singh rose rapidly through the ranks. By 1944, as a Squadron Leader, he commanded his unit with distinction in operations against Japanese forces during the Arakan Campaign. His squadron played a crucial role in providing close air support during the pivotal Battle of Imphal and later supported the Allied advance toward Rangoon. For his exemplary leadership and gallantry in combat, he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross in 1944. Following his promotion to Wing Commander, he further honed his professional skills at the RAF Staff College. In the years immediately after India’s independence, he continued to play a vital role in shaping the newly formed Indian Air Force. As a Group Captain, he took command of the Ambala Air Force Station, and in 1949, upon promotion to Air Commodore, he became the Air Officer Commanding of an operational formation that would later evolve into the Western Air Command.
Air Commodore Arjan Singh earned the distinction of having one of the longest tenures as the Air Officer Commanding of an operational base, serving from 1949 to 1952 and again from 1957 to 1961. His steady rise continued with his promotion to Air Vice Marshal, after which he was appointed as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of an operational command. In the aftermath of the Sino-Indian War of 1962, he was entrusted with key leadership roles, first as Deputy Chief of Air Staff and subsequently as Vice Chief in 1963. On 1 August 1964, in the rank of Air Marshal, Arjan Singh assumed command of the Indian Air Force as Chief of Air Staff, at a time when the force was rebuilding and preparing for emerging challenges. His leadership was soon tested during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965. At the age of 45, he led a relatively young Air Force with exceptional foresight, strategic clarity, and calm resolve. Despite the technological edge enjoyed by the Pakistan Air Force, which operated advanced American aircraft, the Indian Air Force effectively utilized its resources, including aircraft such as the Folland Gnat and de Havilland Vampire, to achieve air superiority after initial setbacks. In recognition of his outstanding leadership, he became the first Indian Air Chief to be promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal on 16 January 1966. He continued to serve as Chief of Air Staff until 15 July 1969, guiding the force through a crucial phase of modernization and consolidation. After a distinguished career spanning decades, Arjan Singh retired from active service in 1970 at the age of 50, leaving behind a legacy of professionalism, courage, and visionary leadership
Post Retirement Period
After retiring from active service, MIAF Arjan Singh continued to serve the nation with the same distinction in diplomatic and administrative roles. In 1971, he was appointed as India’s Ambassador to Switzerland, a responsibility he held concurrently with his accreditation to the Vatican City. In 1974, he was appointed as India’s High Commissioner to Kenya, further contributing to strengthening India’s international relations. In addition to his diplomatic assignments, he also served as a member of the National Commission for Minorities and later held the important constitutional position of Lieutenant Governor of Delhi. His post-retirement roles reflected his versatility, integrity, and continued commitment to public service. In recognition of his unparalleled contribution to the nation and the Indian Air Force, the Government of India conferred upon him the rank of “Marshal of the Indian Air Force” on 28 January 2002. This made him the first—and to date, the only—officer of the Indian Air Force to be elevated to the prestigious five-star rank. MIAF Arjan Singh passed away on 16 September 2017 at the age of 98 due to natural causes. His legacy endures as one of India’s finest military leaders, remembered for his exceptional service, visionary leadership, and unwavering dedication to the nation. His life continues to inspire generations of officers and citizens alike.
- On 14 April 2016 at an event to mark the Marshal’s 97th birthday, the then Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha announced that Indian Air Force base at Panagarh in West Bengal would be named after MIAF Arjan Singh in his honor and would be called Air Force Station Arjan Singh.
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- https://indianairforce.nic.in/marshal-of-the-air-force-arjan-singh-padma-vibhushan-dfc-cas
- https://www.facebook.com/DefenceMinIndia/posts/remembering-marshal-of-the-air-force-arjan-singh-dfc-on-his-death-anniversary-a-/1102632912058894/
- https://afcat.cdac.in/AFCAT/marshalOfIAF
- https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1503356®=3&lang=2
- https://indianairforce.nic.in/our-stalwarts
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19 Comments
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ABHISHEK KUMAR RAI
2026 at 12:01 pmA true soldier till the very last breath !
Salute to you,Sir !
Nived K M
2026 at 12:01 pmJammu and Kashmir
1st September,1965
Pakistans Operation Grand Slam begins its thrust into India
Its objective,a massive strike into the town of Akhnoor
Cut of the Akhnoor bridge which forms the lifeline for the Indian Army in the North…………
War had been raging between India and Pakistan for a month…….
Either side was fighting at its fiercest……….Pakistan having understood that they could not bring the Indian Army down in Kashmir decides that what the cannot destroy by force they will destroy it by isolation….the will destroy it by starvation……..
Beyond the Radcliffe line lies the town of Akhnoor …….
Through it run the lifeline for the Indian Army…….
Though it runs the road to Jammu……..
Through it runs the way for Pakistan’s takeover of Jammu and Kashmir……….
0500 hrs,1st September 1965
Pakistans M47 and M48 Patton tanks slammed into the sector……Pakistan’s largest millitary assault in the war moved into action……..An assault where Pakistan had a 6 to 1 advantage over India…India’s infantry which was deployed there was no match for the monstrous equipped mordern tanks of the DIctatorship……As Pakistans artillery begins to bring down the sector it seems that the link to the north is about to fall to the Enemy………….
1624hrs,1st September 1965
As Pakistan tries to sever India the news has reached the IAF base…….the Air Marshal was asked how long would it take to launch a counter strike……he said…”within the hour”……….
1719hrs,1st September 1965
India’s 45th Air Squadron devestates the Pakistani offensive into our motherland……..the plane that led the offensive …piloted by the Air Marshal himself……..the following days ensured that India’s victory was within reach……….
the Air Marshal ,this great war hero went to recieve the Padma Vibhushan,To become one of the greatest IAF Chiefs of all time,To become one of the greatest stratergists India had ever seen,To become the third war hero to be a 5 star commander and finally the Marshal of the Air Force of the Republic of India……..
Four days ago,our Guardian of the Skies passed away………
Four days ago,an Era ends in the Indian Air Force……..
Four days ago,Air Marshal Arjan Singh passed away…….
I mourn,We mourn,India mourns the passing of one of the greatest sons of the motherland………. we lay to rest the greatest air chief India had ever seen……
But no…….We need not mourn or feel sad about his death……For Air Marshal Arjan Singh is not dead………
Air Marshall Arjan Singh will never die…….He still lives…….He like Karriappa and Manekshaw before him still lives within the hearts and minds of all Indians……….he will never die…….he has not passed on into the long list of legends this country had seen……He has just moved on to the list of sons this country will never forget……..His source of valour and bravery will always be a source of inspiration for us………
Rest your Wings Sir……..
We are here for u………
We will ensure that the sacrifices u made will never go in vain………
We will ensure that OUR motherland is forever protected from the enemies who lurk beyond her borders………..
For Air Marshal Arjan Singh………..
BHARATH MATHA KI JAI……………..
Viplavesh rajendra kothari
2026 at 12:02 pmJay hind
Paulson Chacko
2026 at 12:02 pmMAF Arjan Singh DFC, Padma Bhushan, was a soldiers soldier, an inspiration to young military personnel. The discipline and patriotism he learned in Air Force never left him. At 96 , confined to a wheel chair he made it a point to pay his respects to his former Supreme Commander Presdient APJ AbdulKalam. He rose from the wheel chair stood ram rod straight and presented faultless air force salute.
Leaders like MAF Arjan Singh never really dies. They continue to shine and inspire millions of admirers allover the nation. I join his family in this hour of grief. The fact that his was a life well lived might lighten their grief.
Paulson Chacko
Trivandrum.
Kunal Joshi
2026 at 12:03 pmYou have played an important role in ensuring our skies are safe.
Thank you for your service to India.
RIP
Jai Hind
Gurarmaan sandhu
2026 at 12:03 pmYou’ll be always my inspiration sir!
RIP.
Jai hind!
Omkar pandey
2026 at 12:04 pmYou are the ideal for every ctizen of India our country, really it is very bad news that u(gaurdian of our sky)are no more…expressing grief.we r very sad to lost you sir. A big salute to you sir,from me and from our country…..
Jai Hind…
Harsh Choubey
2026 at 12:05 pmThank you for your service to our nation. We will always be in-debt of it. RIP
Pravesh Kumar
2026 at 12:05 pmMy dream to salute HIM as an IAF Officer remains unsuccessful dream forever.
RIP Sir.