IAF GETS NEW CHIEF: AIR MARSHAL ASHUTOSH DIXIT TO TAKE CHARGE ON OCTOBER 31
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Chief of the Air Staff, and will take charge of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on October 31, 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who will retire on the same day.
Currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Dixit will become the 29th Chief of the Indian Air Force and will assume the rank of Air Chief Marshal.
Commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream on December 6, 1986, Dixit has had a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades. An Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor, he has logged more than 3,500 hours of flying and has operated a wide range of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Kiran, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas.
A significant highlight of his career was his command of a Mirage-2000 fighter squadron, making him the first officer to command a Mirage-2000 squadron and subsequently rise to become IAF Chief.
Dixit has held several important operational, instructional and senior leadership positions. He has commanded a frontline fighter base in the Western Sector and a premier fighter training base in the Southern Sector. He has also served at the Air Force Test Pilots School and held key appointments at Air Headquarters, including Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.
His operational experience includes participation in Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Cope India and Operation Sindoor, among other major exercises and operations.
During his tenure as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), Dixit placed strong emphasis on jointness and integration among the three armed forces. Several joint doctrines, orders and initiatives were pursued during his tenure to strengthen India’s capabilities across multiple domains.
Dixit has also been vocal about the changing nature of warfare, particularly the growing importance of unmanned aerial systems and manned-unmanned teaming. He has highlighted how unmanned systems are increasingly moving beyond support roles to become independent instruments of warfare.
His long service has been recognised with several military honours, including the Vayu Sena Medal (2006), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023) and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026).
With extensive experience in fighter operations, test flying, air defence, training and strategic leadership, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will take over the IAF at a time when the force is rapidly adapting to emerging technologies, unmanned warfare and evolving air-combat capabilities.
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