As teenagers, Brijinder and Harmeet Nijjar were like many curious youngsters, fascinated by anything with an engine. And it was a trip to the Army Aviation Centre in Middle Wallop, Hampshire that would change everything. The roar of rotor blades, the sight of helicopters lifting into the sky, it was a moment that planted a seed that would shape the rest of their lives.
Captain Harmeet Singh Nijjar (Left) of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps stands with his brother Captain Bridjinder Singh Nijjar (Right) of 7 Regiment Army Air Corps at the the Holla Mahalla Festival held in Aldershot.
Captain Harmeet Singh Nijjar of 3 Regiment Army Air Corps at the Holla Mahalla Festival held in Aldershot.
Captain Bridjinder Singh Nijjar of 7 Regiment Army Air Corps at the the Holla Mahalla Festival held in Aldershot.
Captain Bridjinder Singh Nijjar standing in front of an Apache based in Middle Wallop.
Captain Bridjinder Singh Nijjar standing in front of an Apache based in Middle Wallop.
Fast forward to today, and those two brothers from West London have not only joined the British Army but have also achieved what few can: earning their wings and becoming Apache Attack Helicopter pilots.
A spark ignited: From Middle Wallop to military dreams
Captain Harmeet Singh Nijjar (32) and Captain Brijinder Singh Nijjar (33) both trained at the prestigious Royal Military Academy Sandhurst after completing university. But before that, they faced one of the toughest hurdles: Army Air Corps (AAC) selection.
"The first time I went flying in an Apache, I looked out the side window and saw the rocket pods and missile launchers attached to the stub wing. This is when it hit me, this is my job now. The Army is paying me to fly gunships for a living."
It was here that they took to the skies for the very first time. For Brijinder, who had never flown in anything smaller than a commercial jet, it was a shock to suddenly be flipping and looping in a training aircraft:
“In two to three weeks, as part of the selection process, I had gone from never having been in a small aircraft before to being able to taxi, take off, manoeuvre, and land almost solo. Then came extensive training on a light aeroplane and helicopter. And after about four years I was flying an Apache. It’s remarkable.”
That relentless pace of learning and the Army’s ability to push its people beyond what they thought possible left a lasting impression.
Neither brother was destined for the military. As teens in the Army Cadet Force, they had no firm plans to pursue careers in uniform. Brijinder considered becoming a police officer, a pharmacist, even a vet. But a single helicopter ride during that early Middle Wallop visit sparked a realisation:
Adds Brijinder:
“It was something as simple as seeing a helicopter land, jumping inside, and being flown around. You never forget something like that.”
That experience, coupled with conversations with serving soldiers and pilots, gave them a vision of what was possible. And once they knew, there was no turning back.
"I went from being a boy at university, unsure of what to do, to flying Apache’s. That’s a massive win for social mobility. You can take someone from any background and give them opportunities that are life changing."
Harmeet studied law at Kingston University, while Brijinder pursued biology at Royal Holloway. Both kept close ties with the Army, determined to earn their place on the Army Pilot Course. By 2015, they had completed the demanding 44-week Sandhurst course and were on track to their dream of flying the Apache helicopter.
Breaking barriers: Representation and inspiring the next generation
The brothers are acutely aware of their unique position. As Punjabi Sikhs, they represent a minority within the Army, and their achievement, both qualifying as Apache pilots is unheard of.
They’ve taken time out visiting schools and colleges, sharing their story to inspire the next wave of young people.
Harmeet explains:
“We sat exactly where they are 10 or 15 years ago. If we made it here, so can they. The British Army is a home for everybody, no matter what background you’re from.”
For Brijinder, it’s also a story of social mobility:
“I went from being a boy at university, unsure of what to do, to flying Apache’s. That’s a massive win for social mobility. You can take someone from any background and give them opportunities that are life changing.”
And adds Brijinder, one memory stands out above the rest:
“The first time I went flying in an Apache, I looked out the side window and saw the rocket pods and missile launchers attached to the stub wing. This is when it hit me, this is my job now. The Army is paying me to fly gunships for a living.”
Today, Brijinder is an instructor at 7 (Training) Regiment AAC back at Middle Wallop, the very place where his journey began. Harmeet, who served with 3 AAC in Wattisham, is now an AAC reservist, but their legacy continues.
From India to Apache cockpit: A family's journey of service
The Nijjar brothers reflect on their parents’ journey. Having emigrated from India to the UK in the 1980s with next to nothing, their hard work laid the foundation for their sons’ success.
40 years later, and their sons are flying Apache attack helicopters for the British Army.
“That’s something we’re very proud of.” said Captain Brijinder Nijjar
And the journey isn’t over. Recently selected for promotion to Major, Brijinder now has his sights set on specialising in airborne electronic warfare, weapons, and tactics.
It’s rare enough for siblings to both serve as Army officers. Rarer still to both become Apache pilots. Add to that their Punjabi Sikh heritage, and their story is one of representation, determination, and breaking barriers.
From that first awe-inspiring trip to Middle Wallop to inspiring schoolchildren across the UK, the Nijjar brothers embody the spirit of ambition, resilience, and service.
