“IAF Must Always Be Ready to Fight and Win,” Says New Air Chief Ashutosh Dixit

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Saturday, 31 October 2026, assumed charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff (CAS) of the Indian Air Force (IAF). He succeeds Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, who retired after 42 years of distinguished service to the nation.

In his first address after taking command, Air Chief Marshal Dixit expressed deep honour at assuming leadership of the Indian Air Force and thanked the President, the Prime Minister and the Defence Minister for placing their trust in him.

Earlier in the day, he paid homage at the National War Memorial to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation. He described their courage as the benchmark against which the Indian Air Force would measure itself.

Acknowledging his predecessor's leadership, Air Chief Marshal Dixit highlighted the Indian Air Force's performance during Operation Sindoor, stating that the operation demonstrated what precise and decisive air power could achieve. He also thanked Air Chief Marshal AP Singh for handing over an Air Force in a high state of operational readiness.

Addressing India's evolving security environment, the new Air Chief emphasised that the character of warfare is undergoing a significant transformation driven by emerging technologies and advanced military systems.

He specifically highlighted the growing importance of drones, long-range precision weapons, space, cyber capabilities, artificial intelligence (AI) and the electromagnetic spectrum.

Air Chief Marshal Dixit stressed that the Indian Air Force must transform itself to meet the demands of the coming decade while maintaining its core operational commitment.

"The Air Force, while transforming into the force that India will need in the next decade, must always be ready to fight and win," he said.

His remarks underline the Indian Air Force's focus on technological modernisation, operational preparedness and strengthening India's air power capabilities to address emerging security challenges.