Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to be new Air Force chief, replacing AP Singh

Before becoming Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command and later as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee.

In Short

• Dixit is a veteran fighter pilot with nearly 40 years of service
• Key contributor to indigenous LCA Tejas and aircraft projects
• Has held senior defence staff roles including Vice Chief of Air Staff

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed the 29th chief of the Indian Air Force and will take charge on the afternoon of October 31, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retires that day.

Dixit, currently the Vice Chief, will take over as Air Chief Marshal from Singh, who led the IAF during Operation Sindoor and the May 2025 conflict with Pakistan.

A fighter pilot with nearly four decades of service, Dixit has been closely involved in the indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme and other Indian aircraft projects.

COMMAND AND OPERATIONAL EXPERIENCE

Born on December 9, 1966, Dixit was commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream on December 6, 1986. An experimental test pilot and qualified flying instructor, he has more than 3,500 flying hours.

He has flown aircraft including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas. His operational experience includes Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor.

Dixit has commanded a Mirage-2000 squadron, a frontline fighter air base in the western sector and a fighter training base in the southern sector.

Before becoming Vice Chief, he headed Central Air Command and later served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee.

KEY ROLE IN POLICY, PLANNING

Dixit has also served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, a role which focusses on planning, policy, and operational capabilities.

At Air Headquarters, he held the posts of Principal Director of Air Staff Requirements, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects) and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans).

His earlier appointments include Air Defence Commander of Southern Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Dixit completed the Staff Course in Bangladesh and graduated from the National Defence College in New Delhi.

He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.

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