New Delhi, July 1: In a significant reshuffle within the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed the role of Vice Chief of Air Staff on July 1. He succeeds Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who retired on June 30, 2026, after nearly 40 years of distinguished service.
Air Marshal Dixit has played a crucial role in operations during the Kargil War, particularly in ‘Operation Safed Sagar’, and more recently in ‘Operation Sindoor’. With a military career spanning almost four decades, he has held several key positions.
Recognized as one of the most experienced fighter pilots in the Indian Air Force, Air Marshal Dixit was commissioned into the fighter stream on December 6, 1986. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Defence Staff Service College in Bangladesh, and the National Defence College. He boasts over 3,500 flight hours across various military aircraft.
Before taking on the Vice Chief role, he served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command. He also held the position of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee at the Integrated Defence Staff headquarters. During this tri-service appointment, he initiated several important measures to enhance joint operations and coordination among the Army, Navy, and Air Force.
According to the Ministry of Defence, Air Marshal Dixit has operated a range of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG series, HPT-32, AN-32, Avro, Kiran, Jaguar, IL-78, Hawk, and Tejas. He is also a qualified experimental test pilot and flight instructor. Throughout his military career, he has actively participated in numerous significant operations and exercises, including Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil War, Operation Rakshak, Cope India, and the recent Operation Sindoor. His contributions have established him as a skilled strategist and experienced military leader.
Air Marshal Dixit has taken on numerous important command and staff appointments within the Air Force. As a commanding officer, he re-equipped the No. 9 Squadron with Mirage-2000 aircraft. He has also led a frontline combat airbase in the western region and a major fighter training center in the southern region.
His service includes roles such as directing staff at the Air Force Test Pilots School, Principal Director of Air Staff Requirements at Air Headquarters, Air Defence Commander in the Southern Air Command, and Deputy Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters. Under his leadership, several joint military doctrines and orders were issued for all three services, aimed at strengthening the nation’s overall defense capabilities.
For his exceptional and distinguished services to the nation, he has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011, and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026. Given Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit’s achievements and experience, his appointment as the new Deputy Chief of the Indian Air Force is considered highly significant.
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