Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia: Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia took charge as the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force on Sunday, 31st January 2026. He stepped into this role after Air Marshal Surat Singh retired on January 31. Air Marshal Surat Singh completed 39 years of long service before leaving the force.
With this change, the Eastern Air Command now has a new senior leader who brings many years of flying and command experience. Before taking this top post, Air Marshal Walia was already working at the Eastern Air Command headquarters as the Senior Air Staff Officer.
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Long journey in the Air Force
Air Marshal Walia studied at the National Defence Academy and joined the Indian Air Force in 1988 as a fighter pilot. Over the years, he trained in different countries and completed the Advance Command & Staff Course in the UK. He also attended the National Defence College in Bangladesh to learn higher defence planning.
He has flown many fighter aircraft during his career. These include all versions of the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar, and the Su-30 MKI. He has more than 3,200 hours of flying experience and has never been involved in any accident or incident.
Experience in command and global roles
During his long service of more than 30 years, Air Marshal Walia has led a MiG-27 Squadron and also commanded the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, known as TACDE. He was also the Air Officer Commanding of an important frontline air base.
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He is a Fighter Strike Leader and also works as an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner. Apart from flying and command jobs, he has handled key staff roles. He served as Defence Attaché at the Indian embassies in Japan and South Korea. He also worked as Air Commodore in the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection, Assistant Chief of Air Staff for Training at Air Headquarters, and as Air Defence Commander at Headquarters Western Air Command.
