India
oi-Ashish Rana
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff, making him the 29th officer to lead the Indian Air Force. He will take charge as Air Chief Marshal on the afternoon of 31 October, 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who will superannuate on the same day.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will assume charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on October 31, 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh. A decorated officer commissioned in 1986, he brings decades of experience.
Four Decades In The Indian Air Force
Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 6 December, 1986. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Staff Service College in Bangladesh and National Defence College, he has served in the IAF for nearly four decades.
An Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor, Dixit has more than 3,500 hours of flying experience. He has flown several aircraft, including Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Kiran, Hawk, IL-78 and Tejas.
His operational experience includes participation in Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Cope India and Operation Sindoor.
From Mirage-2000 To Indigenous Aircraft
Dixit has held several important fighter and technical assignments during his career. As Commanding Officer of No. 9 Squadron, he oversaw its re-equipment with Mirage-2000 aircraft. He was also involved in acceptance flights and the ferrying of 10 new Mirage-2000 aircraft from France to India.
His experience extends to India’s indigenous aviation programmes. He worked on upgrade projects for Jaguar and MiG-27 aircraft and was involved in the technical evaluation and field trials conducted under the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft programme. His career has also included work connected with the LCA Tejas and other indigenous aircraft projects.
Key Command And Strategic Roles
Dixit has commanded a frontline fighter base in the Western Sector and a fighter training base in the Southern Sector. He also served as Air Defence Commander of Southern Air Command and held senior appointments at Air Headquarters, including Assistant Chief of the Air Staff for Projects and Plans and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.
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. He took charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 1 July, 2026.
Decorated Career And New Responsibility
Dixit’s service has been recognised with the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.
As the new IAF Chief, Dixit will take charge at a time when the force is focused on modernisation, indigenous aircraft programmes and greater integration among India’s armed services. His extensive experience in fighter operations, flight testing, planning and joint defence structures will form an important part of his new role.
