August 01, 2026
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit recently assumed charge as the 51st Vice Chief of the Air Staff, becoming the second-highest-ranking officer in the Indian Air Force. Commissioned to the Air Force in 1986, he is a qualified fighter pilot, flying instructor and experimental test pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours in over 20 types of aircraft, including the MiG-21, Mirage 2000 and Jaguar. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and the Defence Services Staff College, he served as the chief of integrated defence staff, where he played a crucial role in strengthening coordination among India’s armed forces. He has also contributed to indigenous fighter aircraft programmes and defence modernisation. For his distinguished service, he has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (2026), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal.
Image Source: wikipedia.org
