Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry takes charge as chief of Central Air Command
New Delhi, June 1. Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Indian Air Force’s Central Air Command on June 1, succeeding Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, who retired on May 31 after completing four decades of distinguished service.
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1989, Air Marshal Chaudhry brings with him more than three decades of operational, staff and diplomatic experience. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare and National Defence College, he has held a range of key appointments during his career.
Among his notable assignments was his tenure as Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India in Sweden, with concurrent accreditation to Norway, Finland and Denmark. He has also served in important staff positions at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and Air Headquarters, where he specialised in projects, acquisitions and human resource management.
Before taking over the Central Air Command, Air Marshal Chaudhry was serving as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Southern Air Command.
The senior officer has been associated with several initiatives aimed at modernising the Indian Air Force and enhancing its operational capabilities through the induction of advanced technologies and future-ready systems. His experience in capability development and force modernisation is expected to contribute to the operational readiness of one of the IAF’s key commands.
The Central Air Command, headquartered in Prayagraj, plays a crucial role in safeguarding India’s northern and central airspace and supports a wide range of operational, logistical and strategic missions.
Air Marshal Chaudhry succeeds Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, who superannuated after 40 years of service to the nation, during which he held a number of important operational and leadership appointments in the Indian Air Force.
