Air Marshal Rakesh Singh Bhadauria Takes Over as IAF Vice Chief

Air Marshal Rakesh Singh was an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was commissioned in the fighter stream of IAF on 15 June 1980        

Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on May 1 assumed charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Marshal Anil Khosla. The Air Marshal, who is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was commissioned in the fighter stream of IAF on 15 June 1980 and won the coveted ‘Sword of Honour’ for standing first in the overall order of merit.

He has over 4250 hours of experience on 26 types of fighters and transport aircraft with the unique distinction of being an Experimental Test Pilot, a Cat ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and a Pilot Attack Instructor. He completed his masters in defence studies from Command and Staff College, Bangladesh. Prior to assuming the present appointment, he was the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Training Command.




Air Marshal Bhadauria has held a number of important appointments, which include, Command of a Jaguar Squadron and a premier Air Force Station, Commanding Officer of Flight Test Squadron at Aircraft & System Testing Establishment, Chief Test Pilot and Project Director of National Flight Test Centre on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project.

He was extensively involved in the initial prototype flight tests on the LCA. Air Marshal Bhadauria was also the Air Attache, at EoI Moscow, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), Commandant of the National Defence Academy, senior Air Staff Officer at HQ CAC, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air HQ and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command.

During his illustrious career, he was commended by the Chief of Air Staff and has been awarded Param Vishist Seva Medal, Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vayu Sena Medal. Bhadauria is married to Mrs Asha Bhadauria and they are blessed with a daughter and a son.