Air Marshal Prithi Singh

Air Marshal Prithi Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VM & Bar, ADC, was a distinguished officer of the Indian Air Force, who served from 1953 to 1992, retiring as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command. He belonged to the Tanwar Rajput community, specifically from the Jatu khaap/subclan of village Bapora, in Bhiwani, Haryana. He was married to Shiv Kanwar Baisa, daughter of Lt. Colonel Rai Bahadur Thakur Devi Singhji, the last jagirdar of Thikana Chittora (Chaturbhujot Kachhawah) of the erstwhile Jaipur State.

Military Career

Prithi Singh was commissioned on 1 April 1953 as a Pilot Officer and joined No. 7 Squadron in 1955 to fly Vampire fighter aircraft. He qualified as a flying instructor (QFI), achieving the highest category. In 1961, as a Flight Lieutenant, he attended the prestigious Empire Test Pilots School, Farnborough, UK.

As a Wing Commander, he commanded No. 101 Squadron during its re-equipment phase with a new aircraft type. Under his leadership, despite challenges, the squadron achieved full operational capability. For his efforts, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 1971.

He was deputed to Hindustan Aircraft Ltd (HAL), Bengaluru, as a test pilot in December 1970, where he flew over 650 hours on aircraft including HF-24 Trainer, Kiran, Gnat, and Basant Mk II. He demonstrated the Basant Mk II in São Paulo, Brazil, earning a Bar to his Vayu Sena Medal for professional excellence and courage.

Test Pilot and Evaluator

Air Marshal Prithi Singh evaluated an unmatched 120 aircraft types and variants for potential induction into the Indian Air Force. This included significant contributions to the Deep Penetration Strike Aircraft (DPSA) program, evaluating aircraft such as:

Sukhoi Su-7 (160 inducted and used in the 1971 war)
Jaguar (Anglo-French)
Mirage F1 (French)
Buccaneer (British)
Viggen (Swedish)

He flew over 4,300 hours without a single avoidable accident, a record that earned him high distinction and inspired generations of IAF pilots.

Leadership Roles and Recognition

Over the course of his career, he held several critical positions:

Commandant, Aircraft & Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) (1979–1982)
Director, Offensive Operations and Training
Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Operations)
Deputy Chief of Air Staff
Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command

He was a graduate of the National Defence College and received the following decorations:

Vayu Sena Medal (1971)
Bar to the Vayu Sena Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (1978)
Param Vishisht Seva Medal (1989)

Legacy and Family

Air Marshal Singh was known for his discipline, fitness, and sportsmanship, particularly in squash, where he remained unbeaten by younger officers even while serving as AOC-in-C.

His legacy continues through his family:

Son: Air Commodore Vikram Singh, Test Pilot, contributed to the Light Combat Aircraft program, posted in Moscow
Daughter: Married to Air Commodore Sandeep Singh, Test Pilot, posted at Air Headquarters