Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, an experimental test pilot who has logged more than 3,500 flying hours and participated in various military operations including Operation Sindoor, Safed Sagar and Rakshak, has been appointed the next Chief of the Indian Air Force.
The government has appointed Air Marshal Dixit as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff in the rank of Air Chief Marshal. He will take charge on the afternoon of October 31, 2026, succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who superannuates the same day.
Currently serving as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Dixit brings nearly four decades of service and extensive experience across fighter operations, testing, training and senior command appointments.
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on December 6, 1986, Dixit has flown several aircraft during his career, including the Mirage 2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, LCA Tejas, Hawk, Kiran and IL-78.
He is also an experimental test pilot and a qualified flying instructor and has accumulated more than 3,500 hours of flying experience.
Dixit's operational experience includes participation in Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak and Operation Sindoor.
His experience also extends to senior appointments across the IAF and India's integrated defence structure.
Before becoming Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Dixit served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff. He has also served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command.
His field experience includes commanding a frontline fighter air base in the Western Sector and a premier fighter training base in the Southern Sector.
Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College in Bangladesh and National Defence College.
During his career, he has received several honours for distinguished service. He was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026.
His appointment will take effect after Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh completes his tenure on October 31.
