Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command of the Indian Air Force on 01 February 2026.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Walia was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 11 June 1988. A highly experienced fighter pilot, he is qualified on multiple aircraft types, including MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar, and Su-30 MKI, and has accumulated over 3,200 hours of accident- and incident-free flying.
Over a distinguished career spanning more than three decades, the Air Marshal has held a wide range of command and staff appointments. He has commanded a MiG-27 fighter squadron, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), and a frontline operational air base. His professional credentials include being a Fighter Strike Leader and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner. He has also undergone the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College in Bangladesh.
Air Marshal Walia has served in several key staff roles, including Air Commodore at the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection, Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Training) at Air Headquarters, and Air Defence Commander at Headquarters Western Air Command. He has also served as the Defence Attaché to Japan and South Korea, contributing significantly to international defence cooperation. Prior to assuming his present appointment, he was the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Eastern Air Command.
In recognition of his distinguished service to the nation, Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2018.
He succeeds Air Marshal Surat Singh, who superannuated on 31 January 2026 after 39 years of distinguished and devoted service to the nation.
