Ashutosh Dixit takes over as new IAF chief

New Delhi, Oct 31: Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Saturday took over as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who retired after 42 years of service in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
AP Singh superannuated on October 31, bringing to a close a career during which he held several important operational and leadership assignments and contributed to the force’s combat preparedness and modernisation.
An accomplished fighter pilot and Experimental Test Pilot, AP Singh served as Chief of the Air Staff during a period marked by a focus on operational readiness, particularly during ‘Operation Sindoor,’ in which the IAF demonstrated its operational capabilities.
During his tenure, Singh, as per details, stressed indigenisation, innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies to strengthen the IAF’s operational capabilities. He maintained a strong focus on personnel, encouraging professionalism, accountability and initiative among air warriors.
Meanwhile, Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was commissioned into the Fighter Stream of the IAF on December 6, 1986.
With a career spanning four decades, Dixit has extensive experience in operations, flight testing, capability development and joint staff assignments. An accomplished fighter pilot, Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot, he has logged over 3,300 hours of flying on various aircraft, including Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar and transport aircraft.
He played an important role in the modernisation of the IAF and was instrumental in finalising the Jaguar and MiG-27 upgrade projects, besides contributing to the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) activities of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-I Tejas.
His operational assignments include command of a Mirage-2000 squadron, a Forward Base Support Unit in the Western Sector and Air Force Station Bidar, a key fighter training base.
Dixit has also served as Air Defence Commander at Southern Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer at South Western Air Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.
Before taking over as Air Chief, he commanded Central Air Command as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief and served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee during ‘Operation Sindoor.’ He subsequently served as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
In recognition of his distinguished service, Dixit has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
The Indian Air Force wished AP Singh and his wife, Mrs Sarita Singh, the very best for the years ahead, saying his leadership, operational resolve and connect with air warriors would continue to inspire future generations. (KNO)