Kumar Bahukhandi
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes the salute during a guard of honour at Air Headquarters in New Delhi on Wednesday, July 1, 2026, when he assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff. He took over as Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday, October 31, 2026. File photograph.
Experienced fighter pilot and test pilot succeeds Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh after nearly four decades in command, operational and staff roles
Key Highlights
• Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumes charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff.
• He succeeds Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who retires after a 43-year career.
• Dixit brings more than 3,500 flying hours across over 20 aircraft types.
• He previously served as Vice Chief of the Air Staff and Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.
• His operational experience includes Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor.
New Delhi: Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday, October 31, 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal A.P. Singh, who retired after a distinguished 43-year career in the Indian Air Force.
An accomplished fighter pilot, experimental test pilot and qualified flying instructor, Dixit brings nearly four decades of experience spanning operational assignments, strategic planning, command responsibilities and training.
Before the handover, the Indian Air Force accorded a ceremonial guard of honour to outgoing chief A.P. Singh at the Race Course Air Force Station.
Dixit was serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff before taking over the leadership of the force.
Extensive flying and operational experience
Dixit has accumulated more than 3,500 flying hours on over 20 aircraft types. His experience includes the Mirage 2000, MiG variants, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas.
His background as an experimental test pilot and flying instructor combines aircraft evaluation with the training of aircrew.
During his service, he has been involved in several operations and exercises, including Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor. He also played a key role in strategic planning during Operation Sindoor.
Senior command and joint-service appointments
Before becoming Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Dixit served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee, at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff.
He previously headed the Central Air Command as its Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief.
His field appointments have included command of a frontline fighter air base in the western sector and a premier fighter training base in the southern sector.
These assignments form part of a career covering command, staff and instructional responsibilities.
Commissioned into the fighter stream in 1986
Born on December 9, 1966, Dixit was commissioned into the Indian Air Force’s fighter stream on December 6, 1986.
He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh, and the National Defence College.
His appointment follows a succession of senior responsibilities involving operational leadership, training and coordination across the armed forces.
