Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit. (Photo: IDS)
New Delhi: The government has appointed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit the next vice-chief of the air staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force, placing one of the service’s most experienced fighter pilots and senior planners in its second-highest position at a time of major modernization and structural reforms. The Ministry of Defence announced on Thursday that AM Dixit, currently serving as the chief of Integrated Defence Staff (CISC), will assume office on July 1.
He will succeed Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor, who has held the post since January 1.
As vice-chief, AM Dixit will become the most senior principal staff officer at the Air Headquarters after the chief of the air staff, playing a key role in force development, capability planning and operational preparedness. His appointment comes as the Air Force pursues a wide-ranging modernization agenda that includes the induction of Tejas-Mk1A fighters, development of the Tejas-Mk2, and progress on the advanced medium combat aircraft (AMCA) programme.
The appointment is also significant because of AM Dixit’s central role in advancing military jointness and theatre command reforms. As CISC, he has been closely involved in efforts to integrate the Army, Navy and Air Force under proposed theatre commands, one of the most ambitious defence reforms undertaken since Independence. The defence ministry said he has made important contributions towards enhancing inter-service integration as India moves forward with the theatre command initiative.
Who is Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit?
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Air Force on December 6, 1986, AM Ashutosh Dixit is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Defence Services Command and Staff College in Bangladesh and the National Defence College.
A qualified experimental test pilot and flying instructor, he has accumulated more than 3,300 flying hours across over 20 aircraft types, including the Mirage 2000, MiG-21 and Jaguar. He participated in both Operation Rakshak and the 1999 Kargil War, gaining operational experience during some of the Air Force’s most demanding combat missions.
Throughout his career, AM Dixit has held a series of operational, testing and strategic appointments. He commanded a Mirage-equipped fighter squadron, led front-line air bases, headed the Flight Test Squadron at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment in Bengaluru, and contributed to several indigenous aviation programmes. He was also involved in the evaluation process for the medium multi-Role combat aircraft (MMRCA) competition, which ultimately led to India’s acquisition of the Dassault Rafale fighter aircraft.
As deputy chief of the air staff, he played a prominent role in advancing indigenous aerospace programmes, including the Tejas-Mk1A, Tejas-Mk2 and AMCA projects. More recently, he commanded the Central Air Command before taking over as CISC in May 2025.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vayu Sena Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal in recognition of his distinguished service. His elevation to the vice-chief’s post places a veteran operational commander and defence planner at the centre of the Air Force’s efforts to expand combat capability, accelerate indigenization and strengthen joint military structures.
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