"Wish I Were a Fighter Pilot," Says Army Chief Gen. Upendra Dwivedi After Tejas Sortie
Air Chief Marshal AP Singh and Army Chief General Upendra Dwivedi took to the skies on Sunday in the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, setting the stage for the grand Aero India 2025. The thrilling sortie, conducted at Yelahanka Air Force Station, was a prelude to the biennial aerospace event, which kicks off on Monday and runs until February 14.
The duo's performance was closely watched by attendees, with both leaders taking a ride in the indigenously developed Tejas aircraft. Following the flight, General Dwivedi described the experience as the "best moment" of his life. He even shared a sense of regret, admitting that had he met Air Chief Marshal Singh earlier, he might have switched to the Air Force, with aspirations of becoming a fighter pilot.
"It was the best moment in my life," General Dwivedi said. "As you know, the Air Chief Marshal is my course mate, and we’ve been together since our NDA days. I wish he had met me sooner, and I would have chosen the Air Force. If I had, I would have been a fighter pilot today," he added, smiling.
General Dwivedi, who expressed deep admiration for the Indian Air Force, also referred to Air Chief Marshal Singh as his "guru." He acknowledged the challenges pilots face and praised their skill and teamwork. "From today onwards, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh is my guru," the Army chief said, reflecting on the support and guidance he received during the sortie.
The Army chief highlighted the complex and challenging nature of the sortie and commended the IAF pilots for their exceptional skills. "I thoroughly enjoyed the sortie. It was a great challenge, and I am grateful to the Indian Air Force. The IAF pilots take on significant challenges, and their synergetic approach is admirable. This is a wonderful start to Aero India 2025," General Dwivedi remarked.
The grand Aero India 2025 exhibition promises to be a spectacular event, with the Tejas flight marking a fitting beginning to the proceedings.
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