Who Is Appointed as the New Air Chief Marshal of the Indian Air Force? Check Appointment Date, Flying Experience, Important Operations and Exercises

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the New Air Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. The Government of India announced his appointment on October 6, 2026. 

Currently, he is serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, and he will succeed Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, and he will take the charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff with the rank of Air Chief Marshal on October 31, 2026.

In this article, explore who Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is, his appointment date, flying experience, important operations, and exercises

Who Is Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit?

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is a senior fighter pilot of the Indian Air Force for the nearly four decades of his service experience.

He was born on December 9, 1966 and joined the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986

Before he was appointed as the New Air Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, he serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, and he was also part of many important operation and strategic positions, including Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.

Ashutosh Dixit's Appointment as New IAF Chief

Here is the detail of the Ashutosh Dixit's Appointment as New IAF Chief given below in the table:

When will Ashutosh Dixit officially take charge as Air Chief Marshal?

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will officially take charge as the Chief of the Air Staff on the afternoon of October 31, 2026. 

From this date, he will be promoted to the rank of Air Chief Marshal. The present Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, will superannuate from office on the same day.

Education of Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit was a student of the following academy, which are

• National Defence Academy

• Defence Services Command & Staff College, Bangladesh

• National Defence College

These institutions are part of his professional military education and training during his long career in the Indian Air Force.

Flying Experience of Ashutosh Dixit

Air Marshal Dixit has more than 3,500 hours of flying experience in his service with the Indian Air Force.

During his career, he has flown several types of aircraft, including:

• Mirage-2000

• MiG variants

• Kiran

• Jaguar

• IL-78

• Hawk

• Tejas

The Ministry of Defence has also identified him as an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor.

An earlier Ministry of Defence release issued when he took over as Vice Chief also listed his flying experience on the HPT-32, An-32 and Avro, besides several other aircraft.

Important Operations and Exercises

During his four decade of service career in the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been a part of many important operations & exercises.

According to the Ministry of Defence, these are:

• Operation Safed Sagar

• Operation Rakshak

• Operation Sindoor

• Cope-India

His career has included both operational responsibilities and important staff appointments within the Indian Air Force and the wider defence establishment.

Important Positions Held by Ashutosh Dixit

Air Marshal Dixit has held several important command and staff positions during his career.

He commanded a frontline fighter air base in the Western Sector and a premier fighter training base in the Southern Sector. He also served as the Commanding Officer who re-equipped No. 9 Squadron with Mirage-2000.

Some of his other important appointments include:

• Air Defence Commander, Southern Air Command

• Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects)

• Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans), Air Headquarters

• Senior Air Staff Officer, South Western Air Command

• Deputy Chief of Air Staff, Air Headquarters

• Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command

• Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee

• Vice Chief of the Air Staff

When Did Ashutosh Dixit Become Vice Chief of the Air Staff?

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff on July 1, 2026.

At that time, the Ministry of Defence noted that he had more than 3,500 hours of flying experience and had served in numerous operational, command and staff appointments.

He succeeded Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who superannuated on June 30, 2026, after 40 years of service.

Awards Received by Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has received several military service awards for his distinguished service.

The Ministry of Defence stated that these awards were given in recognition of his exemplary and distinguished service to the nation.

Key Points to Remember

• New IAF Chief: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit

• New Rank: Air Chief Marshal

• Position: Chief of the Air Staff

• He will be: 29th Chief of the Air Staff

• Appointment announced: October 6, 2026

• Takes charge: October 31, 2026

• Current position: Vice Chief of the Air Staff

• Predecessor: Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh

• Date of birth: December 9, 1966

• Commissioned into IAF: December 6, 1986

• Flying experience: More than 3,500 hours

• Specialisation: Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor

• Important awards: VM, VSM, AVSM and PVSM

• Important operations: Op-Safed Sagar, Op-Rakshak and Op-Sindoor