New Delhi. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the new Chief of the Indian Air Force. President Draupadi Murmu has given the green signal to his appointment. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will take over as the Chief of the Air Force on October 31, 2026. Air Marshal Dixit will replace the current Chief of the Air Force, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who is retiring at the end of this month. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit's tenure as Air Force Chief will be till December 31, 2028. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who is currently holding the post of Vice Chief of Air Staff, had also led the Air Force during Operation Vermillion.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit's name is taken among the best fighter aircraft pilots of the country. He is an expert in flying fighter aircraft like Mirage-2000, different versions of MiG fighter jets, HPT-32, An-32, Avro, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas. He has more than 3500 hours of flying experience. He is an experimental test pilot and qualified flying instructor. In his nearly four decade long career so far, he has held many important positions and held important responsibilities. Air Marshal Dixit was also a part of the Kargil War. Apart from this, he has also been involved in important operations like Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Cop-India.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit was commissioned in the year 1986 in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force. He has also handled front-line fighter air bases in the Western Sector and major fighter training bases in the Southern Sector. Before assuming the post of Vice Chief of Air Staff, he has also served as Chief of Integrated Defense Staff at Headquarters Integrated Defense Staff, Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command.