Ashutosh Dixit Becomes Indian Air Force Chief, Unveils 'VAYU' Agenda on Readiness, Self‑Reliance and AI

Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has taken over as the Indian Air Force’s 29th chief and used his first formal message to lay out a four-part agenda focused on combat readiness, self-reliance, technology and closer coordination with the other armed services.

According to India’s Press Information Bureau, or PIB, Dixit’s appointment was announced by the government on Oct. 6 and took effect from the afternoon of Oct. 31. He succeeded Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh, who retired Oct. 31 after about 42 years of service. On Saturday, Nov. 1, Dixit began his tenure by paying homage at the National War Memorial and receiving a ceremonial Guard of Honour at Air Force Station New Delhi.

In his opening address, Dixit introduced a guiding theme he called “VAYU,” structured around four priorities. The first, PIB said, is readiness: “V - Vigilance, Victory and Readiness: Maintaining the highest state of operational preparedness across all formations, while restoring combat strength to sanctioned levels.”

The other pillars point to where the Indian Air Force’s leadership wants to concentrate effort. “A” stands for Aatmanirbharta, or self-reliance, with an emphasis on accelerating indigenous capabilities in platforms, sensors, weapons and technologies. “Y” stands for Yukti, a term the release used to frame innovation in doctrine and operations, including AI-enabled command and control, counter-drone capabilities, resilience and other emerging domains. “U” stands for Unity of Effort, centered on stronger jointness with the Indian Army, Indian Navy and national agencies.

Taken together, the framework offers a concise picture of the service’s current priorities: maintaining a high state of operational preparedness, rebuilding combat strength, pushing domestic defense capability and adapting to newer technologies and threats while working more closely across the military. The emphasis on AI-enabled command-and-control systems and counter-drone measures also highlights the growing importance of software, networks and low-cost aerial threats alongside traditional airpower.

Dixit assumed office in the rank of Air Chief Marshal and is officially listed as PVSM, AVSM, VM, VSM. Born on Dec. 9, 1966, he was commissioned into the Indian Air Force’s fighter stream on Dec. 6, 1986. He is an Experimental Test Pilot and Qualified Flying Instructor with more than 3,500 flying hours. Before his elevation, he had served as vice chief of the air staff since July 1. His previous senior roles included chief of integrated defence staff to the chairman of the Chiefs of Staff Committee, air officer commanding-in-chief of Central Air Command, and command of a Mirage-2000 squadron and major air bases.

That mix of operational flying experience and senior joint-service assignments helps explain the opening message of his tenure. As set out in the government release, Dixit’s first priorities for the Indian Air Force are clear: readiness, indigenization, technological adaptation and unity of effort across India’s military and national security system.