Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry Takes Over as Head of Central Air Command
On June 1, 2026, Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry, AVSM, VSM, took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command. He replaced Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, PVSM, AVSM, VM, who retired on May 31, 2026, concluding a 40-year career dedicated to the nation.
Air Marshal Chaudhry was commissioned in the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1989. Throughout a career spanning over 30 years, he has developed a notable track record in operational leadership, staff roles, diplomatic service, and capability enhancement within the Indian Air Force.
A graduate of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare, and National Defence College, Air Marshal Chaudhry possesses a solid professional background with an extensive understanding of strategic, operational, and administrative elements of air power. His education at top military institutions has equipped him with comprehensive insights into joint operations, national security, defense planning, and future capability development.
Throughout his distinguished service, the Air Marshal has occupied several key operational, staff, and diplomatic positions. Among his prominent roles was serving as Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India in Sweden, concurrently accredited to Norway, Finland, and Denmark. This role involved defense cooperation, military diplomacy, and engagement with partner countries, adding an international dimension to his service profile.
Air Marshal Chaudhry has fulfilled significant staff roles at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and Air Headquarters. In these capacities, he focused on projects, acquisition, and human resource management, contributing to essential institutional processes and modernization initiatives within the Indian Air Force.
The Air Marshal has led several transformative projects aimed at enhancing capabilities and introducing future technologies in the IAF. His efforts in acquisition, projects, and future-focused capabilities highlight the Indian Air Force’s ongoing emphasis on modernization, technological integration, and operational readiness.
Before assuming the role of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry served as Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Southern Air Command. In this capacity, he was instrumental in operational planning, air operations management, and oversight of critical air force activities within the command.
Central Air Command is a vital operational command of the Indian Air Force, essential for maintaining air defense readiness, operational coordination, and supporting national security objectives. As the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Marshal Chaudhry will lead the command’s operational, administrative, and training functions, ensuring continued preparedness across its jurisdiction.
His assumption of leadership marks a crucial transition for Central Air Command. With his background as a fighter pilot, experience in operational and staff roles, and involvement in project and technology induction, Air Marshal Chaudhry is anticipated to provide robust leadership to the command in the forthcoming years.
The appointment signifies the Indian Air Force’s focus on continuity, professionalism, and modernization at the highest command levels. Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry’s extensive experience in operations, diplomacy, acquisition, and human resource management is expected to reinforce Central Air Command’s mission in supporting the IAF’s objectives of being combat-ready, future-ready, and steadfast in defending the nation’s airspace.
