GRADUATION CEREMONY OF 48TH FLIGHT TEST COURSE

**Executive Summary** The graduation ceremony for the 48th Flight Test Course took place at the Air Force Test Pilots School (AFTPS) in Bengaluru on 23 May 2026. Seventeen officers from the Indian Air Force, Army, and Navy successfully completed a 48-week multi-discipline training program to qualify as Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineers. These graduates are now assigned to join the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE) to support the modernization and indigenous defense initiatives of the Indian Armed Forces. **Key Points / Main Content** **Course Composition and Training** * The cohort consisted of 11 Test Pilots and six Flight Test Engineers. * The 17 graduating officers included 14 from the Indian Air Force, one from the Indian Army, and two from the Indian Navy. * The training involved a rigorous 48-week multi-discipline curriculum. **Awards and Distinguished Personnel** * Chief Guest Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, Chief of the Air Staff, presented certificates and awards. * **Suranjan Das Trophy (Best all-round student Test Pilot):** Sqn Ldr KK Singh, VM. * **Chief of the Air Staff Trophy (Best student Test Pilot in flight evaluation):** Sqn Ldr Aditya Jamdagni. * **Maharaja Hanumanth Singh Sword (Best all-round student Flight Test Engineer):** Wg Cdr Abhinav Kumar. * **Dunlop Trophy (Best student Flight Test Engineer in flight evaluation):** Wg Cdr Pranav Sharma. * **Kapil Bhargava Trophy (Best student in ground subjects):** Sqn Ldr Paras Sharma. **Strategic Objectives and Mandates** * **Atmanirbharta:** Self-reliance was highlighted as a strategic necessity for developing resilient indigenous defense capabilities. * **Indigenization Drive:** The test crew is responsible for proliferating the nation's indigenization efforts and strengthening the aerospace ecosystem. * **Operational Standards:** Emphasis was placed on optimizing 'design to delivery' time cycles without compromising safety or quality. * **Professional Competence:** Officers are tasked with ensuring that aircraft and systems strictly meet the operational requirements of the services. **Impact Analysis** **Graduating Officers (Test Pilots and Flight Test Engineers)** **Impact** Officers have transitioned from trainees to specialists within the Aviation Wing of the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment (ASTE). They are now primary stakeholders in the modernization and capability building of the Indian Armed Forces. **Action Required** The graduates must join their assigned units at ASTE and apply their professional competence to ensure aircraft and systems meet operational standards while upholding virtues of integrity and precision. **Indian Armed Forces (IAF, Army, and Navy)** **Impact** The services benefit from a new cohort of 17 specialized officers trained to advance the indigenization drive and enhance the national aerospace ecosystem. **Action Required** The services must integrate these specialists into their testing and evaluation frameworks to accelerate the 'design to delivery' cycles of indigenous defense equipment.

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