Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit: New Vice Chief of the Indian Air Staff

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is set to become the Vice Chief of the Air Staff from July 1. With a career spanning decades, he has been crucial in advancing indigenous projects and modernizing India's Air Force. A seasoned pilot and leader, he has significantly contributed to defense integration.

Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, known for his remarkable tenure as a fighter pilot and test pilot, has been appointed the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff, assuming his new position on July 1. Currently, he holds the role of Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) at the Headquarters of Integrated Defence Staff, where he has significantly advanced the jointness of India's defense forces as they progress toward organizational Theaterisation.

Throughout his distinguished career, Air Marshal Dixit has championed indigenous fighter aircraft projects at the Air Force's headquarters. His efforts have been pivotal in the modernization of the force. Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, the Defence Services Staff College in Bangladesh, and the National Defence College in New Delhi.

As a Qualified Flying Instructor and Experimental Test Pilot, Dixit amassed over 3,300 hours of flying experience across 20 different types of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG-21, and Jaguar. He commanded a premier Fighter Training Base in the Southern Sector, where his exemplary leadership earned it accolades within the command. In Bengaluru, at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, Dixit was involved in testing indigenous upgrades and development programs, overseeing avionics upgrades for aircraft like the Jaguar and MiG-27. His contributions as Director of Air Staff Requirements were crucial in the planning and conducting of Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft trials.