Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit appointed IAF Vice Chief, takes charge July 1
Synopsis
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit — a test pilot with over 3,300 flying hours, a veteran of the MMRCA trials, and the current Chief of Integrated Defence Staff — has been named the IAF's next Vice Chief. His appointment on 5 June, with charge from 1 July, puts a champion of indigenous defence programmes at the heart of the IAF's modernisation drive.
Key Takeaways
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit was appointed IAF Vice Chief on 5 June 2025 and will assume charge on 1 July 2025 .
He has over 3,300 hours of flying experience on more than 20 aircraft types , including the Mirage-2000 , MiG-21 , and Jaguar .
Commissioned into the IAF fighter stream on 6 December 1986 , he is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla .
He played a key role in the MMRCA trials as Director of Air Staff Requirements and in indigenous avionics upgrades as CO of the Flight Test Squadron.
He currently serves as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) and has been awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal , Vishisht Seva Medal , and Vayu Sena Medal .
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF), the government announced on Friday, 5 June. He is set to assume charge on 1 July, succeeding in one of the IAF's most senior operational roles.
A Career Built on the Frontline
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF on 6 December 1986, Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has accumulated over 3,300 hours of flying experience across more than 20 types of aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG-21, Jaguar, and HAWK.
A qualified flying instructor, test pilot, and fighter combat leader, Dixit commanded a premier fighter training base in the Southern Sector — a unit that was adjudged the best in its Command during his tenure.
Key Role in Indigenous Defence Programmes
As Commanding Officer of the Flight Test Squadron at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment, Dixit was centrally involved in several indigenous upgrade and development programmes, including avionics upgrades for the Jaguar and MiG-27. He also served as Director of Air Staff Requirements, where he played a pivotal role in planning and conducting trials for the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) — one of the most consequential procurement exercises in IAF history.
Throughout various postings at Air Headquarters, he was a consistent advocate for the modernisation of the force and the promotion of indigenous defence projects — priorities that have gained sharper urgency under India's Atmanirbhar Bharat defence push.
Current Assignment and Decorations
Dixit is presently serving as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) at Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff. He has been conferred with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, the Vishisht Seva Medal, and the Vayu Sena Medal for distinguished service across command, staff, and instructional appointments.
What This Appointment Signals
The selection of an officer with deep roots in test flying and indigenous procurement signals continuity in the IAF's push toward self-reliance in platforms and avionics. Notably, the MMRCA process — in which Dixit was directly involved — remains a reference point for how India evaluates and integrates complex multi-role platforms. His elevation to Vice Chief positions him as a key figure in steering the IAF's near-term modernisation agenda. All eyes will be on his priorities once he formally assumes charge on 1 July.
Point of View
MMRCA trials architect, indigenous upgrade champion — maps directly onto the IAF's most pressing unfinished business: fleet modernisation and Atmanirbhar integration. The Vice Chief's office is where procurement decisions get shaped before they reach the Cabinet Committee on Security. Placing an officer with hands-on experience in both platform testing and staff requirements at that desk suggests the IAF wants technical depth, not just seniority, driving its next acquisition cycle. Whether that translates into faster movement on stalled programmes — LCA Mk2, MRFA — will be the real measure of this appointment.
NationPress
21 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit?
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is a senior Indian Air Force officer commissioned into the fighter stream on 6 December 1986. He is a qualified test pilot and flying instructor with over 3,300 hours of experience on more than 20 aircraft types, and has held key command, staff, and instructional roles over a career spanning more than three decades.
When will Ashutosh Dixit take charge as IAF Vice Chief?
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit is scheduled to assume charge as Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force on 1 July 2025, following his appointment on 5 June 2025.
What is Dixit's current role before becoming Vice Chief?
He is currently serving as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC) at Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff — a joint-services coordination role at the apex of India's military structure.
What is Air Marshal Dixit's role in India's indigenous defence programmes?
Dixit was involved in indigenous avionics upgrades for the Jaguar and MiG-27 as Commanding Officer of the Flight Test Squadron at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment. As Director of Air Staff Requirements, he also played a central role in planning and conducting the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) trials.
What awards has Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit received?
He has been conferred with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vayu Sena Medal in recognition of his distinguished service across command, staff, and instructional appointments in the Indian Air Force.
