India's new Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit begins his tenure, outlining a vision and priorities for the Indian Air Force.
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit PVSM AVSM VM VSM assumed office as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 1st November 2026. He commenced his tenure by paying homage at the National War Memorial to honour fallen heroes who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation. Subsequently, a ceremonial Guard of Honour was held at Air Force Station New Delhi.
Air Chief Marshal Dixit is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor with over 3,500 hours of flying experience. He has held various key operational and strategic appointments, such as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), HQ IDS, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, and Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
In his opening address, the new CAS outlined his vision for the IAF, which he termed as 'VAYU'. This vision consists of four distinct pillars: Vigilance, Victory, and Readiness; Aatmanirbharta; Yukti; and Unity of Effort. These pillars aim to maintain operational readiness, accelerate indigenous capabilities, harness ingenuity and innovation, and strengthen jointness with the Army, Navy, and national agencies respectively.
Through the 'VAYU' vision, the CAS has set a clear direction for an operationally ready, technologically advanced, self-reliant, and seamlessly integrated IAF, dedicated to safeguarding the nation's interests and deterring conflict through credible air power.
Source:
Press Information Bureau
