Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit PVSM AVSM VM VSM, took over as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff of the Indian Air Force, on 1 November 2026. He commenced his tenure by paying homage at the National War Memorial, followed by a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Force Station New Delhi.

An Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor, Air Chief Marshal Dixit has over 3,500 hours of flying experience. He has held several key operational and strategic appointments, including Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), HQ IDS, Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Central Air Command, and Vice Chief of the Air Staff.

In his opening address, CAS outlined his vision and priorities for the IAF. He also coined the guiding theme ‘VAYU’ turning the service into an acronym, which according to him describes four pillars that will shape the future trajectory of the IAF.

V stands for Vigilance, Victory and Readiness. Maintaining the highest state of operational preparedness across all formations, while restoring combat strength to sanctioned levels.

A stands for Aatmanirbharta. Accelerating indigenous capabilities across platforms, sensors weapons and technologies, with a focus on operational self-reliance and sustained combat capability.

Y stands for Yukti. Harnessing ingenuity and innovation in doctrine, technology and operational procedures, including Al-enabled command and control, counter-drone capabilities, resilience and emerging operational domains.

U stands for Unity of Effort: Strengthening jointness with the army, navy and national agencies, in consonance with the national vision of JAI (victory), which stands for Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation.

Through the ‘VAYU’ vision, the CAS articulated a clear direction for an operationally ready, technologically advanced, self-reliant and seamlessly integrated Indian Air Force, committed to safeguarding the nation’s interests and deterring conflict through credible air power.