Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He will formally assume command on the afternoon of October 31, 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retires on the same day.
Air Marshal Dixit, currently serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, steps into the top leadership role after serving in several pivotal operational, command, and policy-making capacities across his distinguished career.
Extensive Flying and Operational Record
Born on December 9, 1966, Air Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the IAF’s fighter stream on December 6, 1986. An experimental test pilot and qualified flying instructor, he brings over 3,500 flying hours of operational experience across a wide array of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk, and the indigenous LCA Tejas.
His operational service encompasses key military campaigns, including:
- Operation Safed Sagar
- Operation Rakshak
- Operation Sindoor
Throughout his career, he has commanded a Mirage-2000 squadron, a frontline fighter airbase in the western sector, and a major fighter training base in the southern sector.
Key Driver of Indigenization and Capability Planning
Air Marshal Dixit has been a core proponent of domestic defense innovation, working closely with indigenous aircraft development programs, including the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas.
Prior to his appointment as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, he served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command and later as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC). His staff appointments at Air Headquarters include Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, Principal Director of Air Staff Requirements, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans).
Decorative Honors and Academic Background
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Dixit completed his Staff Course in Bangladesh and graduated from the National Defence College in New Delhi.
Over nearly four decades of service, he has been decorated with prestigious military honors, including the Vayu Sena Medal (2006), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023), and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026).