Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes charge as new Chief of Air Staff

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, a fighter pilot with more than 3,500 hours of flying experience across over 20 aircraft types, took charge as the new Chief of Air Staff on Saturday. He succeeds Air Chief Marshal A P Singh, who retired after serving the Indian Air Force for 43 years.

Before the change of command, the IAF accorded a ceremonial guard of honour to Air Chief Marshal Singh at the Race Course Air Force Station. He then handed over the baton to Dixit, who was serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

Dixit has been associated with several key operations and strategic assignments during his four-decade career, including Operation Sindoor, in which he played a key role.

Four decades of service in the IAF

Born on December 9, 1966, Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. Over the years, he has held command, staff and instructional positions across the force.

Before becoming Vice Chief, he served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee. He had earlier headed the Central Air Command as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief.

His operational experience includes participation in Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor. He has also commanded a frontline fighter air base in the Western sector and a major fighter training base in the Southern sector.

Test pilot with experience across 20 aircraft types

Dixit has logged more than 3,500 flying hours on aircraft including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas. He is an experimental test pilot as well as a qualified flying instructor.

His professional training includes courses at the National Defence Academy, Defence Staff Service College in Bangladesh and the National Defence College.

As he takes over the top post, Dixit brings experience from operational commands, training establishments and senior-level defence planning assignments. His tenure begins following Singh's retirement after a 43-year career in the IAF.