New Delhi: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Chief of the Indian Air Force and will take charge on the afternoon of October 31, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who is due to retire the same day.
Dixit, currently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, will become the 29th Chief of the Indian Air Force. A fighter pilot with nearly four decades of service, he brings extensive operational, command, test-flying and aircraft development experience to the top post.
His career has also included important responsibilities linked to India’s indigenous fighter aircraft programmes, including the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas project.
Dixit to succeed AP Singh on October 31
Dixit will assume command from Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who has served as the head of the Indian Air Force and is scheduled to retire on October 31.
Singh’s tenure included the IAF’s operations during Operation Sindoor and the military confrontation with Pakistan in May 2025.
The change of command will place Dixit at the helm of the force at a time when the IAF is continuing its modernisation and expanding its focus on indigenous defence capabilities.
As Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Dixit has already been involved in senior-level operational and organisational responsibilities. His appointment therefore represents a move to the top position for an officer with experience across several key branches of the Air Force.
Nearly four decades of service
Dixit was born on December 9, 1966, and was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986.
Over a career spanning nearly 40 years, he has accumulated more than 3,500 hours of flying experience.
He is an experimental test pilot as well as a qualified flying instructor, giving him experience beyond conventional operational flying.
Dixit has flown several aircraft types during his career, including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas.
His experience across different aircraft platforms has given him exposure to fighter operations, training, transport-related flying and India’s evolving indigenous aviation capabilities.
Experience in major military operations
Dixit’s operational record includes participation in several significant Indian military operations.
He has experience associated with Operation Safed Sagar, the Indian Air Force’s air campaign during the 1999 Kargil conflict.
He has also served in operational roles connected with Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor.
These assignments have given the incoming Air Chief experience of operating in demanding security environments and across different operational theatres.
His career has also included command responsibilities at multiple levels, including fighter and training establishments.
Commanded frontline fighter units
Dixit has commanded a Mirage-2000 fighter squadron and a frontline fighter air base in the western sector.
He has also commanded a fighter training base in the southern sector.
These appointments provided experience in both operational deployment and the training of personnel responsible for operating frontline aircraft.
His subsequent senior appointments broadened his responsibilities from individual units to larger operational commands and strategic planning.
Before taking over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Dixit served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command.
He later became Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, giving him experience in joint defence planning and coordination among the armed forces.
Key role in planning and capability development
Dixit’s career has included several appointments at Air Headquarters dealing with planning, acquisitions and operational capabilities.
He served as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, a position involving policy, planning and the development of operational capabilities.
He has also held the posts of Principal Director of Air Staff Requirements, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects) and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans).
These responsibilities placed him close to decisions concerning the Air Force’s future requirements and the development and acquisition of military capabilities.
His experience in these positions is particularly relevant as the IAF continues to balance immediate operational requirements with long-term modernisation.
Close involvement with Tejas programme
One of the notable aspects of Dixit’s career has been his involvement with India’s indigenous aviation programmes.
As an experienced test pilot, he has been closely associated with the Light Combat Aircraft Tejas programme and other Indian aircraft projects.
Test pilots play an important role in the development and evaluation of military aircraft by assessing their performance, handling characteristics and operational capabilities.
Dixit’s experience flying Tejas therefore adds an aviation development dimension to his career, alongside his operational and command experience.
The indigenous development of fighter aircraft has become an important part of India’s broader effort to increase domestic defence production and reduce dependence on imported platforms.
Experience across Air Force commands
Dixit has served in several senior command and staff positions across different parts of the Air Force.
His earlier appointments included Air Defence Commander of Southern Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command.
These roles exposed him to air defence responsibilities as well as operational planning in important geographical sectors.
His experience at Central Air Command further expanded his command profile before his appointment as Vice Chief.
Taken together, these assignments have given Dixit experience in fighter operations, air defence, training, planning, capability development and joint military coordination.
Education and professional training
Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the country’s premier tri-services military training institution.
He subsequently completed the Staff Course in Bangladesh and graduated from the National Defence College in New Delhi.
His professional education has therefore included both military staff training and higher-level strategic studies.
Such courses are intended to prepare senior officers for responsibilities involving command, planning, national security and coordination across military and government institutions.
Decorated career
Dixit has received several military decorations during his career in recognition of his service.
He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006 and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011.
He later received the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.
The awards reflect his progression through operational, command and senior staff appointments over nearly four decades in uniform.
His latest promotion to the position of Air Chief will mark the highest point of that career.
What Dixit’s appointment means for the IAF
Dixit takes charge of the Indian Air Force with experience spanning frontline fighter operations, aircraft testing, training, command, defence planning and joint military coordination.
His background in the Tejas programme and other indigenous aircraft projects also comes at a time when domestic defence manufacturing and the development of Indian military platforms remain important priorities.
At the same time, his operational experience includes multiple major military operations and senior command assignments.
The transition on October 31 will therefore bring an experienced fighter pilot and senior military planner to the top of the IAF.
Dixit’s appointment also continues a leadership transition within the Air Force following Singh’s tenure. Once he assumes office, the new Air Chief will be responsible for guiding the force’s operational preparedness, modernisation and long-term capability development.
With nearly four decades of service behind him, more than 3,500 flying hours and experience across some of the IAF’s most important operational and planning appointments, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit’s elevation marks a significant new phase in his career.