Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as 29th IAF Chief
By Aroonim Bhuyan
New Delhi. Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on October 31 assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS), succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retired after completing 42 years of distinguished service in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Air Chief Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on December 6, 1986. His career spans four decades, during which he has acquired extensive experience in operational flying, flight testing, capability development and joint military assignments.
An accomplished fighter pilot, Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot, he has logged more than 3,300 hours of flying on a wide range of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, various MiG variants, Jaguar and several transport aircraft.
Air Chief Marshal Dixit has played a significant role in the modernisation of the Indian Air Force and the development of its combat capabilities. He was closely involved in finalising the upgrade programmes for the Jaguar and MiG-27 fighter aircraft. He also contributed to the completion of the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) processes for India’s indigenous Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-I Tejas.
His operational command experience includes leading a Mirage-2000 fighter squadron, a Forward Base Support Unit in the Western Sector and Air Force Station Bidar, one of the IAF’s principal fighter training establishments.
Over the years, he has held several important appointments involving operational planning, air defence and force modernisation. These include Air Defence Commander at Southern Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at South Western Air Command. As Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, he was involved in steering major capability development and defence procurement initiatives.
He subsequently served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command before taking over as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee. He held the latter appointment during Operation Sindoor, India’s military operation against terrorist infrastructure in Pakistan and Pakistan-occupied Kashmir in May 2025.
Immediately before his elevation to the top post, Air Chief Marshal Dixit served as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, placing him at the centre of the IAF’s senior leadership and decision-making structure.
His professional qualifications include graduation from the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh and the National Defence College in New Delhi.
In recognition of his distinguished service, he has been decorated with the Vayu Sena Medal (VM), Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM).
His appointment comes at a significant juncture for the Indian Air Force, which is pursuing an extensive modernisation programme involving the induction of new-generation combat aircraft, strengthening of air defence capabilities, expansion of indigenous aerospace manufacturing and integration of advanced technologies into its operational framework.
With his extensive experience in fighter operations, flight testing, capability development and joint military planning, Air Chief Marshal Dixit takes charge at a time when the IAF is navigating evolving regional security challenges while preparing for the demands of future warfare.
