SRINAGAR: Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Saturday assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who retired on October 31 after 42 years of service in the Indian Air Force (IAF).
AP Singh’s retirement brought to an end a distinguished career marked by several key operational and leadership assignments. He headed the Air Force during a period of emphasis on combat readiness, modernisation and technological advancement, including during Operation Sindoor.
An accomplished fighter pilot and Experimental Test Pilot, Singh focused on strengthening the IAF’s operational capabilities through indigenisation, innovation and the adoption of emerging technologies. He also emphasised professionalism, accountability and initiative among personnel.
Dixit, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was commissioned into the Fighter Stream of the IAF on December 6, 1986. Over nearly four decades of service, he has held a range of operational, flight-testing, capability development and joint staff assignments.
A qualified flying instructor and Experimental Test Pilot, Dixit has logged more than 3,300 hours of flying on various aircraft, including the Mirage-2000, MiG variants, Jaguar and transport aircraft.
He played a significant role in the modernisation of the IAF, contributing to the finalisation of the Jaguar and MiG-27 upgrade programmes. He was also associated with the Initial Operational Clearance (IOC) and Final Operational Clearance (FOC) processes of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Mk-I Tejas.
His command assignments include a Mirage-2000 squadron, a Forward Base Support Unit in the Western Sector and Air Force Station Bidar, an important fighter training establishment.
Dixit subsequently served as Air Defence Commander at Southern Air Command, Senior Air Staff Officer at South Western Air Command and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.
Before his appointment as Air Chief, he headed Central Air Command as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief and served as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee during Operation Sindoor. He later held the position of Vice Chief of the Air Staff.
In recognition of his service, Dixit has received the Vayu Sena Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Param Vishisht Seva Medal.
The IAF also extended its best wishes to AP Singh and his wife, Sarita Singh, following his retirement, acknowledging his leadership, operational resolve and close association with air warriors.
