Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Takes Over as Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, decorated with PVSM, AVSM, VM, and VSM, officially took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) for the Indian Air Force on July 1, 2026, following the tenure of Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor.
Upon taking office, Air Marshal Dixit honored the nation's fallen heroes at the National War Memorial and then inspected a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Vayu Bhawan in New Delhi.
Commissioned as a fighter pilot in December 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is renowned as an experimental test pilot, flying instructor, and fighter combat leader, boasting over 3,300 hours of flight experience. His impressive career spans nearly 40 years, during which he piloted various aircraft such as the Mirage-2000, Jaguar, Hawk, Kiran, AN-32, IL-78, and HPT-32, and participated in Operation Rakshak and Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil conflict.
Before being appointed as VCAS, he was the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) from May 2025 to June 2026. His previous roles included Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, and Senior Air Staff Officer, South Western Air Command. As Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, he significantly contributed to the modernization of the Indian Air Force and bolstered indigenous defense capabilities in line with the Aatmanirbhar Bharat initiative.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Force Academy, Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh, and the National Defence College, Air Marshal Dixit has led No. 9 Squadron, Air Force Station Bidar, and several key operational units.
His exemplary service has been acknowledged through numerous awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM), and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).
As the 51st Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Dixit is anticipated to further enhance the operational readiness and capability development of the Indian Air Force while guiding it through evolving technological and strategic challenges.
