Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit will take command of the Indian Air Force on Saturday, Oct 31, following the retirement of Air Chief Marshal AP Singh after a 25‑month tenure.
Singh, who was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2006, the Vishisht Seva Medal in 2011, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2026, received three formal farewells, one hosted by Defence Minister Rajnath Singh.
Commissioned in 1986, Dixit has logged more than 3,500 flying hours and modernised frontline squadrons, re‑equipping No. 9 Squadron with Mirage‑2000 aircraft.
He has also commanded the Western Sector’s frontline fighter base, led the Southern Sector’s major training base and served as Air Defence Commander of the Southern Air Command.
During his tenure at Vayu Bhawan, he held key staff roles, including Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects) and (Plans), steering procurement and strategic planning.
The final farewell ceremony, complete with a guard of honour, will take place in New Delhi on Saturday, marking Singh’s last day and Dixit’s first as chief, while the IAF plans to accelerate indigenous platform development under his leadership.