Key figure behind India’s fighter jet programmes; Ashutosh Dixit to be next Air Force chief

NEW DELHI: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the 29th Chief of the Indian Air Force. He will take charge on October 31, when the incumbent, Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, retires. Dixit will serve as the Air Force chief until December 31, 2028. The appointment order was issued with the approval of the President.

Dixit has been closely associated with several of India's indigenous fighter aircraft programmes, including the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas. He played a key role in the induction of these aircraft into the Indian Air Force. His appointment is expected to further support the Centre’s efforts to make the country self-reliant in defence production.

Dixit was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986. He underwent training at the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Staff College in Bangladesh and the National Defence College.

With more than 3,500 hours of flying experience, Dixit has flown several aircraft, including the Mirage 2000, various MiG aircraft, HPT-32, AN-32, Avro, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk and Tejas.

He has also served as an experimental test pilot and a qualified flying instructor. During his nearly four-decade-long career, Dixit has taken part in several military operations and exercises. He was actively involved in missions and exercises including Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Cope India and Operation Sindoor. Dixit has been honoured with several military awards, including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VSM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).