NEW DELHI: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Chief of the Indian Air Force and will take charge on October 31, according to an official announcement.
Dixit, currently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, will succeed Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who is scheduled to retire on the same day. Dixit will become the 29th chief of the Indian Air Force.
A fighter pilot with nearly four decades of service, Dixit has more than 3,500 flying hours. He has flown several aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Tejas, Hawk, MiG variants and IL-78.
He has held a number of important operational and command appointments. Before becoming Vice Chief, he served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command. He also served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Dixit has worked in key planning and policy roles at Air Headquarters, including positions linked to air staff requirements, projects and operational planning.
His operational experience includes Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Dixit also completed the Staff Course in Bangladesh and graduated from the National Defence College in New Delhi.
He has received several military honours, including the Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
