Ashutosh Dixit succeeds AP Singh as 29th Chief of Air Staff

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday, succeeding Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who retired after 42 years of service.

Dixit, an accomplished fighter pilot with experience of flying 20 aircraft types, has more than 3,500 flying hours. He was serving as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff before his appointment and played a key role during Operation Sindoor.

His appointment comes as India continues to strengthen its military capabilities amid a complex regional security environment. As the head of the Indian Air Force (IAF), Dixit’s focus is likely to include the modernisation of the force.

The IAF accorded a ceremonial guard of honour to Singh at the Race Course Air Force Station before he handed over command to Dixit.

In a statement marking Singh’s retirement, the IAF said he had made “significant contributions” to the force’s operational capability, combat preparedness and modernisation.

“His tenure as the Chief of the Air Staff was marked by decisive leadership and an unwavering focus on operational readiness, particularly during Operation Sindoor, wherein the Indian Air Force demonstrated its combat capability, operational precision and resolve in the service of national objectives,” it said.

“His leadership reinforced the IAF’s ability to respond decisively across the full spectrum of operations,” it added.

The IAF also highlighted Singh’s relationship with personnel across the organisation.

“Beyond operational leadership, Air Chief Marshal AP Singh will be remembered for his deep and personal connect with air warriors across the length and breadth of the organisation,” the IAF said in a statement, adding his interactions with personnel at the grassroots level reflected his conviction that the strength of the force rests in its people.

Dixit was born on December 9, 1966, and is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. He was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986.

His career spans four decades and includes a range of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments. An accomplished fighter pilot, qualified flying instructor and experimental test pilot, he has nearly 3,500 hours of flying experience on aircraft including the Mirage-2000, various MiG variants, Jaguar and several transport aircraft.

Dixit has also contributed to the modernisation of the IAF. He was instrumental in finalising the Jaguar and MiG-27 upgrade projects and in completing the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) activities of the Light Combat Aircraft (Mk-I) Tejas.

His operational command assignments include leading a Mirage-2000 squadron, a forward base support unit in the Western sector and Air Force Station Bidar, an IAF fighter training base.

He has 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. In these roles, he was involved in capability development and procurement initiatives.

He subsequently 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.

Dixit is a graduate of the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh and the National Defence College in New Delhi.

His awards include the Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal, presented in recognition of his service to the nation.