New Delhi, July 1: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM, on Tuesday assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). A highly decorated fighter pilot and experimental test pilot with nearly four decades of distinguished service, Air Marshal Dixit succeeds Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, SYSM, PVSM, AVSM, VM, who retired on June 30 after completing 40 years of exemplary service to the nation.

With extensive operational, command and strategic experience, Air Marshal Dixit’s appointment comes at a crucial time as the Indian Air Force continues its modernisation drive, expands indigenous capabilities and strengthens joint military integration across the three services.

Nearly Four Decades of Distinguished Service

Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), the Defence Services Command and Staff College, Bangladesh, and the prestigious National Defence College (NDC).

A veteran aviator with more than 3,500 flying hours, he has flown a wide range of combat, transport and trainer aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Tejas, Hawk, Kiran, An-32, Avro, IL-78 aerial refueller and HPT-32 trainer aircraft. He is also a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot, reflecting his expertise in flight testing and aircraft evaluation.

Veteran of Major Military Operations

Throughout his distinguished career, Air Marshal Dixit has actively participated in several important military operations and multinational exercises.

His operational experience includes participation in Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil conflict, Operation Rakshak, the India-US Cope India air exercise and Operation Sindoor, among other significant operational deployments.

His extensive combat and operational exposure has contributed significantly to the Indian Air Force’s operational planning and capability enhancement.

Commanded Key Operational Formations

Air Marshal Dixit has held several prestigious command appointments during his career.

As Commanding Officer, he oversaw the re-equipment of No. 9 Squadron with the Mirage-2000 fighter aircraft. He later commanded a frontline fighter air base in the Western Sector and subsequently led one of the Air Force’s premier fighter training establishments in the Southern Sector.

These assignments provided him with valuable experience in both frontline combat operations and advanced fighter pilot training.

Extensive Staff and Strategic Experience

Apart from operational command, Air Marshal Dixit has held several critical appointments at Air Headquarters and across operational commands.

His key assignments include:

– Directing Staff at the Air Force Test Pilots School

– Principal Director, Air Staff Requirements

– Air Defence Commander, Southern Air Command

– Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects)

– Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans)

– Senior Air Staff Officer, South Western Air Command

– Deputy Chief of the Air Staff

These appointments enabled him to contribute significantly to force planning, capability development, acquisition programmes and long-term modernisation initiatives within the Indian Air Force.

Champion of Joint Military Integration

Before assuming charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Dixit served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Central Air Command, followed by his appointment as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC).

While serving at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS), he played a major role in promoting jointness and integration among the Army, Navy and Air Force. Under his leadership, several Tri-Service doctrines, operational orders and integration initiatives were formulated to strengthen India’s joint warfighting capabilities and enhance coordination among the armed forces.

Highly Decorated Officer

In recognition of his exceptional service and professional excellence, Air Marshal Dixit has been honoured with several of the Indian Air Force’s highest distinguished service awards.

“His decorations include:

– Vayu Sena Medal (VM) – 2006

– Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) – 2011

– Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) – 2023

– Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) – 2026

These awards recognise his outstanding contributions to operational readiness, leadership, capability development and national defence.

Leadership at a Critical Phase

As the new Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will play a pivotal role in overseeing the Indian Air Force’s operational preparedness, force modernisation, indigenous capability development and future combat transformation.

His appointment comes as the Air Force continues to induct advanced fighter aircraft, next-generation weapon systems, network-centric technologies and indigenous platforms while strengthening joint military operations under the ongoing theatre command reforms.

With his vast operational experience, strategic vision and deep understanding of air power, Air Marshal Dixit is expected to play a key role in shaping the future trajectory of the Indian Air Force.