SINGAPORE, FEB 07, 2026 — Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Central Air Command (CAC), conducted a high-profile official visit to Singapore to bolster bilateral defense cooperation during the Singapore Airshow 2026. On the sidelines of the prestigious event at the Changi Exhibition Centre, the Air Marshal held strategic discussions with Brigadier-General Ho Kum Luen, Chief of Staff – Air Staff of the Republic of Singapore Air Force, and Brigadier-General Chan Ching Hao, Chief of Staff – Joint Staff of the Singapore Armed Forces. These meetings focused on enhancing interoperability and fostering deeper military ties between the two nations’ air and joint staff divisions.
During his visit, Air Marshal Manikantan also engaged with H.E. Dr. Shilpak Ambule, the High Commissioner of India to Singapore, and met with the acclaimed Sarang Helicopter Display Team, which has been captivating international audiences at the airshow with their precision maneuvers. Beyond the diplomatic and technical engagements, the visit included a poignant tribute to shared history; the Air Marshal laid a wreath at the Kranji War Memorial in a solemn ceremony. This gesture honored the ultimate sacrifice of the fallen soldiers of World War II, further cementing the deep-rooted historical and emotional bond between the military forces of India and Singapore.
