Jasjit Singh

Air Commodore Jasjit Singh, AVSM, VrC, VM (8 July 1934 – 4 August 2013) was an Indian Air Force officer, writer and military strategist. In his military career, he was awarded the Vir Chakra during the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971. He last served as the director of operations of the IAF.

He later headed the Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses from 1987 to 2001 as its director. In 2001, he founded the think tank Centre for Air Power Studies in New Delhi and served as its director general till his death in 2013.

Vir Chakra During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, Singh was a part of No. 3 Squadron IAF. He was awarded the Vir Chakra for gallantry. The citation for the Vir Chakra reads as follows:

Post-war career On 20 January 1975, Singh was appointed commanding officer of No. 17 Squadron IAF. After over two years in command of the squadron, he was promoted to the rank of Group Captain and moved to Air headquarters as the Director (Flight Safety). He subsequently served as the Director (Offensive Operations), and as Director (Air Induction), both at Air HQ.

Post-retirement The President, Dr. A.P.J. Abdul Kalam presenting Padma Bhushan to Air Commodore Jasjit Singh, at investiture ceremony in New Delhi on 29 March 2006 Singh founded the Air Force think tank, Centre for Air Power Studies, and also remained longest continuously serving director of Institute for Defence Studies and Analyses (IDSA) from 1987 to 2001.

In 2006, he was awarded the Padma Bhushan by Government of India.