Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Appointed Next Vice Chief Of The Indian Air Force

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force. He will succeed Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who is due to retire on July 31, 2026.

Currently serving as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), Air Marshal Dixit brings nearly four decades of operational and leadership experience to the post. He is expected to assume charge on August 1.

Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune, and the Air Force Academy, Dundigal.

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

A qualified flying instructor and experimental test pilot, he has logged more than 3,300 flying hours on a range of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG-21 and Jaguar.

During his career, he has held several key operational, command and staff appointments across the Air Force.

Before taking over as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff in May 2025, he served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command.

Earlier assignments included Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and Senior Air Staff Officer at the South Western Air Command.

As Chief of Integrated Defence Staff, Air Marshal Dixit has been involved in advancing joint military planning and coordination among the Army, Navy and Air Force.

The post is considered crucial in strengthening tri-service integration and supporting the country’s evolving defence strategy.

For his distinguished service, Air Marshal Dixit has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM), Vayu Sena Medal (VM) and Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM).

The appointment comes at a time when the Indian Air Force is continuing efforts to enhance operational readiness, modernise its combat capabilities and strengthen integration with the other armed services.

ALSO READ | Indian Navy Inks MoU With GSI