In Brief
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge as the new IAF chief on October 31, succeeding Air Chief Marshal AP Singh. Over his four-decade career, Dixit has accumulated extensive experience in operations, flight testing, capability development, and joint staff assignments, including participation in Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil War and Operation Sindoor.
Born on December 9, 1966, Dixit was commissioned into the IAF's fighter stream on December 6, 1986, and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, and National Defence College. He has logged over 3,500 flying hours across 20 aircraft types including Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Tejas, and Hawk. Dixit commanded fighter squadrons and airbases, oversaw the transition of Mirage-2000 aircraft into service, and served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee during Operation Sindoor. He has received the Vayu Sena Medal (2006), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), and Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026), and played a key role in modernising the IAF through Jaguar and MiG-27 upgrade projects and the Initial and Final Operational Clearance processes for the LCA Tejas Mk-I.
26 Oct 2026