New Delhi, July 1: Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Wednesday assumed charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), succeeding Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who retired on June 30 after four decades of service.
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on December 6, 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, Bangladesh, and the National Defence College. A highly experienced fighter pilot, he has logged over 3,500 flying hours on a wide range of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar, Hawk, Tejas, An-32, Avro, IL-78, HPT-32 and Kiran.
An Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor, Air Marshal Dixit has participated in several key operations and exercises, including Operation Safed Sagar, Operation Rakshak, Cope India, and Operation Sindoor.
During his nearly four-decade-long career, he has held several important operational and staff appointments. As Commanding Officer, he oversaw the re-equipment of No. 9 Squadron with Mirage-2000 aircraft and later commanded a frontline fighter air base in the western sector as well as a premier fighter training base in the southern sector.
He has also served as a Directing Staff at the Air Force Test Pilots School and held senior appointments at Air Headquarters, including Principal Director Air Staff Requirements, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff. He also served as Air Defence Commander of the Southern Air Command and Senior Air Staff Officer at the South Western Air Command.
Before taking over as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Dixit served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, and later as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC). In the tri-services role, he played a key role in promoting jointness and integration among the armed forces and contributed to the development of several joint doctrines and defence initiatives.
In recognition of his distinguished service, Air Marshal Dixit has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal (2006), Vishisht Seva Medal (2011), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (2023) and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026).
He succeeds Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who retired on June 30 after completing 40 years of distinguished service in the Indian Air Force.
