-Decorated fighter pilot has logged over 3,300 flying hours on more than 20 aircraft types

New Delhi, June 5 (HNS): The Central Government has appointed fighter pilot Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit as the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff. The distinguished test pilot will assume his new responsibilities on July 1, taking charge of one of the most critical leadership positions in the Indian Air Force. His appointment comes at a crucial time as the Indian Air Force continues to advance its modernization and capability enhancement programmes.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit had previously assumed the position of Vice Chief of the Air Staff on May 15, 2023, succeeding Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari. A qualified flying instructor and experimental test pilot, he possesses extensive experience flying a wide range of aircraft, including the MiG-21, MiG-29, and Mirage 2000. Over a distinguished career spanning more than two decades in the Indian Air Force, Dixit has accumulated over 3,300 flying hours across more than 20 different aircraft types. He also participated in Operation Safed Sagar and Operation Rakshak.

Throughout his career, he has led several projects focused on the adoption of future technologies and has worked to ensure that the Indian Air Force achieves modernization while maintaining a strong focus on self-reliance under the Atmanirbhar Bharat initiative. During his tenure as Vice Chief, significant progress was achieved in several indigenous aircraft programmes, including the LCA Mk-1A, LCA Mk-2, and the Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA). He is currently serving as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff.

Earlier, he served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command. He relinquished command of the Central Air Command on April 30, 2025, and assumed charge as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff on May 1, 2025, succeeding Lieutenant General Johnson P Mathew, who retired on April 30, 2025. He has also served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at the South Western Air Command.

Air Marshal Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Pune and the Air Force Academy. He is also a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College and the National Defence College.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. With an outstanding career encompassing operational flying, flight testing, force modernization, and strategic leadership, he has been honoured with several distinguished awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023, the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, and the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011.

Air Marshal Dixit commanded a frontline Mirage 2000 fighter squadron in the western sector, which also serves as a premier fighter training base of the Indian Air Force.

During his earlier assignments at Air Headquarters, he served as Principal Director Air Staff Requirements, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans). As Vice Chief, he will play a pivotal role in overseeing the modernization of the Indian Air Force, including the induction of new acquisitions and procurements undertaken under emergency powers. His previous tenure at Air Headquarters also saw him contribute significantly to the Indian Air Force's modernization efforts and the Atmanirbhar Bharat mission.

Hindusthan Samachar / Jun Sarkar