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First Sikh RAF fighter pilot since WWII: Arshdeep Singh Dang
Arshdeep Singh Dang is a man from India who moved to Britain when he was six years old.
When he grew up, he had a big dream: to fly fighter jets for the Royal Air Force, which is Britain's air force.
His grandfather always wanted someone in the family to become a pilot, so Arshdeep wanted to make that dream come true.
He studied hard at a university and then trained for many years to fly planes.
He learned to fly in Wales and also practiced in Texas in the United States.
He passed all his tests, and now he is a real fighter pilot.
He is the first Sikh person to become a fighter pilot in the Royal Air Force since World War II, a war that ended many years ago.
Sikh soldiers fought bravely for Britain in that war, and Arshdeep wants his success to make other Sikh children believe they can do great things too.
His family is very proud of him, and they still speak Punjabi at home and keep their Sikh traditions alive.
Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang, 28, is the first Sikh to graduate as a fighter pilot in Britain's Royal Air Force since World War II.
The fast jet pilot graduation ceremony took place at RAF Valley in North Wales on Friday, August 14.
Born in Chandigarh in 1998, Dang moved to the UK at age six; his father is from Ludhiana and his mother from Amritsar.
He earned a BSc (Hons) in mathematics and philosophy from the University of Bristol before starting RAF training.
Dang hopes his success will inspire others, noting Sikhs' major contribution to the British Indian Army during World War II.
- Who
- Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang, a 28-year-old Indian-origin Sikh pilot born in Chandigarh.
- What
- Became the first Sikh to graduate as an RAF fighter pilot and attain wings from an RAF Fighter Squadron since World War II.
- Where
- RAF Valley in North Wales, United Kingdom.
- When
- Friday, August 14, at the fast jet pilot graduation ceremony; he passed his wings test in July 2026.
- Why
- To fulfil his late grandfather's dream of having a pilot in the family and to inspire other Sikhs and people of Indian origin.
Key facts
- Name
- Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang
- Age
- 28
- Milestone
- First Sikh RAF fighter pilot since World War II
- Ceremony
- Fast jet pilot graduation at RAF Valley, North Wales, August 14
- Birthplace
- Chandigarh, India (born 1998)
- Education
- BSc (Hons) Mathematics and Philosophy, University of Bristol
- Family Roots
- Father from Ludhiana, mother from Amritsar; family lives in Southall, England
- Wings Test
- Passed July 2026
Quotes
Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang
Sikh flight lieutenant and first RAF fighter pilot of Sikh origin
“"Sikhs made a major contribution to the British Indian Army during World War II. Several Sikhs were awarded the Victoria Cross, the highest British gallantry honour. But since then, there haven’t been any notable achievements. I want my success to inspire others. We always have a chance to create history, not just in the UK, but in the entire world."”
indianexpress.com
“"It was my paternal grandfather Sardar Santokh Singh Dang’s dream that my father should be a pilot. But my grandfather died when my father was just 6. So my father never really had those opportunities or resources to fulfil his wish. My parents encouraged me, and I started to believe that I could be a pilot. And it happened."”
indianexpress.com
Sources
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