Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes charge as new Air Force chief
Air Chief Marshal Dixit succeeds Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff.
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday, October 31, 2026, according to reports by The Hindu and Hindustan Times. He succeeded Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who retired after a career of 42 or 43 years.
The Indian Air Force accorded a ceremonial guard of honour to the outgoing chief at the Race Course Air Force Station before the handover. Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has been named the next IAF Vice Chief.
Air Chief Marshal Dixit, who previously served as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, is a seasoned fighter pilot. He has logged more than 3,300 to 3,500 flying hours across more than 20 aircraft types, including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, and Tejas.
Commissioned into the fighter stream on December 6, 1986, Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. His career includes roles such as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee.
He has been involved in several operations, including Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, and Operation Sindoor. He is also an experimental test pilot and a qualified flying instructor.