Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit takes over as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff and sets out a VAYU vision

1 November 2026

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force. He began the day by paying homage at the National War Memorial and then received a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Force Station New Delhi. In his first address he described his plan through the word VAYU. V stands for Vigilance, Victory and Readiness, A for Aatmanirbharta or self-reliance in platforms, sensors and weapons, Y for Yukti or ingenuity in doctrine and technology, and U for Unity of Effort with the Army, the Navy and national agencies. He tied the last pillar to the national JAI idea of Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation. He is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor with more than 3,500 flying hours. He has earlier served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee, as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Central Air Command and as Vice Chief of the Air Staff.