Indian-origin Flight Lieutenant Arshdeep Singh Dang, 28, has created history by becoming the first Sikh to graduate as a fighter pilot in Britain’s Royal Air Force (RAF) since World War II.
Dang graduated at a fast jet pilot ceremony held at RAF Valley in North Wales on Friday, August 14. According to the RAF, he is the first Sikh trainee to graduate on the Texan aircraft at 4 Flying Training School under the UK Military Flying Training System.
Born in Chandigarh, Raised in the UK
Arshdeep Singh Dang was born in Chandigarh in 1998. He moved to the UK with his family when he was six years old.
His father, Jagdeep Singh Dang, is from Ludhiana, while his mother, Gagandeep Kaur, is from Amritsar. The family currently lives in Southall, England.
Dang said becoming a pilot was also connected to a dream his family had carried for generations. His paternal grandfather, Sardar Santokh Singh Dang, had wanted his father to become a pilot. However, his grandfather died when Dang’s father was only six, and his father did not have the opportunities or resources to fulfil that dream.
Dang said his parents later encouraged him to pursue flying and helped him believe that becoming a pilot was possible.
Journey to Becoming a Fighter Pilot
Dang studied mathematics and philosophy at the University of Bristol before beginning his military career.
He completed officer training in February 2022 and elementary flying training in 2023. After serving in Cyprus, he was selected for the fast jet stream in 2024.
He started fast jet lead-in training in March 2025, followed by basic fast jet training in July. In October 2025, he was sent to Texas for solo flying training and successfully passed his wings test in July 2026.
He will now undergo another year of intensive training before moving towards frontline fighter aircraft.
‘I Don’t Want to Be the Last’
Speaking about his achievement, Dang said he feels privileged to represent the Sikh community on an international stage.
He said he is proud to be the first Sikh to achieve this milestone since World War II, but added that he does not want to be the last.
Dang also credited his family and Sikh upbringing for supporting him throughout his journey. He described his mother as his “pillar of strength.”
His family continues to speak Punjabi at home and regularly visits the gurdwara. Dang said the Punjabi spirit of “chardi kalan”, which means staying positive and in high spirits even during difficult times, helped him during challenging flights.
Continuing a Historic Legacy
Dang’s achievement follows the long history of Indian-origin aviators in British military aviation. The list includes World War I flying ace Indra Lal Roy, Sikh aviation pioneer Hardit Singh Malik, and Squadron Leader Mohinder Singh Pujji.
For Dang, earning his RAF wings is not only a personal achievement but also the fulfilment of a dream that began in his family generations ago.
