Air Vice Marshal GKJ Reddy Appointed as Commandant of College of Defence Management, Secunderabad
Secunderabad, June 2026: Air Vice Marshal GKJ Reddy has been appointed as the Commandant of the College of Defence Management (CDM) in Secunderabad. This institution is one of India's leading places for higher defence management and strategic leadership training. He takes over from Major General G Srinivas, who will now serve as the General Officer Commanding of the Telangana and Andhra Sub Area.
Air Vice Marshal Reddy, who is a distinguished fighter pilot within the Indian Air Force and a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor, brings substantial operational, instructional, technological, and leadership expertise to his new position. His appointment at CDM coincides with the Indian Armed Forces' increased focus on joint operations, integration, technology-driven decision-making, and professional military education.
AVM Reddy was commissioned into the Indian Air Force in 1990 from the Air Force Academy in Dundigal and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. Over more than three decades, he has flown a variety of aircraft, amassing over 4,500 hours of incident-free flying experience. His flying repertoire includes the MiG-21, MiG-29 UPG, HPT, and Hawk aircraft.
His career is marked by a blend of frontline fighter operations, exceptional instructional contributions, and extensive staff exposure. As a Category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor, he has played a pivotal role in training and mentoring aircrew, a position that requires superior flying proficiency, sound judgement, and adept instructional skills.
Prior to taking on the role of Commandant at CDM, AVM Reddy was Associate Director (PMT) at the Aeronautical Development Establishment (ADE) under the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO). This position offered him significant insight into India's indigenous aerospace development and defence technology initiatives.
AVM Reddy is also a graduate of the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington, the Higher Air Command Course at the College of Air Warfare, and the National Defence College in New Delhi. These credentials reflect his thorough understanding of operational art, higher defence management, national security strategy, and tri-service collaboration.
The College of Defence Management in Secunderabad operates under the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and is led by a two-star officer from the three services on a rotating basis. Established in 1970, CDM's mission is to provide contemporary management skills to senior leaders from the three services, paramilitary forces, Ministry of Defence, and officers from friendly foreign countries. Its focus is on effective decision-making, resource management, higher defence management, and strategic studies.
CDM offers the flagship Higher Defence Management Course along with various management development programmes for senior officers. The institution is academically affiliated with Osmania University and has built a strong reputation in research, consultancy, net assessment, and professional military education.
As Commandant, AVM GKJ Reddy will oversee the institution's academic, professional, and strategic training objectives. His background as a fighter pilot, instructor, senior staff officer, and defence technology expert is anticipated to greatly contribute to CDM's mission of preparing future military leaders for complex security challenges.
His leadership marks a significant phase in the ongoing development of CDM as a central hub for defence management, joint warfare strategy, and strategic leadership within the Indian Armed Forces.
