Ashutosh Dixit Takes Charge As New Air Chief - Check Key Highlights & Complete Details

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has officially taken charge as the new Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF). Air Marshal Dixit succeeds outgoing Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who has successfully retired after completing a glorious career spanning 43 years. Prior to the formal handing over of command, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh was presented with a ceremonial Guard of Honour at the Race Course Air Force Station in New Delhi, acknowledging his decades of dedicated service to the nation.

Known widely for his exceptional strategic planning capabilities and for playing a pivotal role in Operation Sindoor, Air Chief Marshal Dixit was previously serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff. Over a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, Air Marshal Dixit has successfully served in a multitude of critical command, staff, and instructional appointments, shaping training and operational readiness across the forces.

Taking over as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, Ashutosh Dixit was born on December 9, 1966, and was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. An alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Staff College in Bangladesh, and the National Defence College, Air Marshal Dixit possesses a strong academic and professional military foundation that has guided his extensive service record.

A master pilot with rich expertise, Air Marshal Dixit has accumulated more than 3,500 hours of flying experience across over 20 different types of aircraft. His flying portfolio includes prominent platforms such as the Mirage-2000, various variants of MiG aircraft, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk, and the indigenous Tejas fighter jet, showcasing his remarkable versatility as a fighter pilot.

Throughout his active service spanning close to four decades, Air Marshal Dixit has been actively involved in several major operations, notably Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, and Operation Sindoor. In recognition of his distinguished and unblemished service to the nation, he has been decorated with several prestigious awards, including the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023, and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.

Before handing over the baton, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh completed 42 years of remarkable service before transferring the command of the Indian Air Force to Ashutosh Dixit. On this momentous occasion, AP Singh visited the National War Memorial to pay solemn tributes to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Following this, IAF personnel presented him with a final farewell Guard of Honour.

Prior to stepping into the role of the Chief of the Air Staff, Ashutosh Dixit held numerous high-profile and demanding positions. His past appointments include Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Chief of Defence Integrated Staff, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Senior Air Staff Officer at the South Western Air Command, Air Defence Commander, and Southern Air Command, cementing his administrative and operational mastery.