Gaganyaan astronaut begins year-long strategic leadership training in US

Group Captain Ajit Krishnan is attending a year-long leadership programme at the US Air War College. The training comes as India readies Gaganyaan and broadens its aerospace and defence capabilities.Indian astronaut Ajit Krishnan is part of India human spaceflight programme, Gaganyaan Mission. Indian astronaut Group Captain Ajit Krishnan, one of the four astronauts selected for the country's maiden human spaceflight mission, Gaganyaan, is currently in the United States to attend a prestigious year-long leadership programme at the US Air War College, sources in the Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) and the Indian Air Force (IAF) have confirmed.Known by the call sign "Krish," the fighter pilot and astronaut-designate will spend the next year at the Alabama-based institution, which is regarded as one of the world's premier centres for strategic military education.The programme is designed to equip senior military leaders with a deeper understanding of global air power, defence policy and emerging warfare technologies. It focuses on analysing contemporary strategic issues and defence policies, while also evaluating future technologies that are expected to shape US and coalition military capabilities in the coming decades. The four astronaut-designates are senior officers in the Indian Air Force. (Photo: PTI) The course comes as India continues preparations for its first crewed spaceflight mission and expands its military and aerospace capabilities amid a rapidly evolving global security environment. Born on April 19, 1982, in Chennai, Tamil Nadu, Krishnan joined the Indian Air Force after graduating from the National Defence Academy. He graduated from the Air Force Academy with both the President's Gold Medal and the prestigious Sword of Honour, reflecting his outstanding performance during training.He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on June 21, 2003. Over the course of his career, Krishnan has built an impressive flying record with nearly 2,900 hours across a diverse fleet of aircraft. As a flying instructor and test pilot, he has flown frontline fighters including the Su-30 MKI, MiG-21, MiG-29 and Jaguar, along with transport aircraft such as the Dornier and An-32. Indian astronauts Ajit Krishnan and Angad Pratap during a training session. (Photo: Instagram/@gagannaut.krish) He also attended the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) in Wellington, Tamil Nadu, further strengthening his operational and strategic credentials.Krishnan is among the four Indian Air Force officers selected for Gaganyaan, India's first human spaceflight mission to low-Earth orbit.His participation in the Air War College programme is expected to further enhance his strategic leadership skills as India prepares for an era of human spaceflight and expands its role in both aerospace and defence domains.- EndsPublished By: Sibu Kumar TripathiPublished On: Aug 3, 2026 11:56 IST