Politics · India · 7 hrs ago
India’s new air chief sets readiness and self-reliance as priorities
Ashutosh Dixit took charge as India’s air force chief on November 1, becoming the service’s 29th Chief of the Air Staff.
He introduced a plan called VAYU, built around readiness, self-reliance, innovation and joint operations.
Dixit says the Air Force must restore its fighter strength to its authorized level.
One account puts the current total at 29 combat squadrons, against an authorized 42.
He also wants to advance Indian aircraft and weapons, including the Tejas and the planned Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft.
His plan includes using artificial intelligence and improving defences against drones, while working more closely with the Army, Navy and national agencies.
The Air Force’s next steps are to improve readiness and build up domestic capabilities, though the accounts do not give a timeline for reaching the stated goals.
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has set operational readiness, self-reliance, innovation and joint operations as priorities for the Indian Air Force.
He outlined the priorities under a framework called VAYU after taking over as the service’s 29th Chief of the Air Staff.
Dixit said restoring the Air Force’s fighter strength to its sanctioned level would be his foremost task.
He also called for advancing indigenous aircraft, sensors and weapons, including the Tejas and AMCA programmes.
On his first visit as chief, he reviewed security arrangements and operational preparedness at Uttarlai air force station in Barmer.
- Who
- Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the Indian Air Force’s 29th Chief of the Air Staff.
- What
- He set out a strategic vision called VAYU, focused on readiness, self-reliance, innovation and joint operations.
- When
- He took charge on November 1, 2026, and outlined his priorities on Sunday.
- Where
- New Delhi and Uttarlai air force station in Barmer, near the India-Pakistan border.
- Why
- The vision is intended to improve operational readiness and technological self-reliance, and strengthen coordination with other branches of the armed forces.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Dixit took charge as the Indian Air Force’s 29th Chief of the Air Staff and paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the National War Memorial in New Delhi.
In his first address after taking charge, Dixit outlined his priorities under the VAYU framework.
Dixit visited Uttarlai air force station in Barmer and reviewed its security arrangements and operational preparedness.
- Chief of the Air Staff
- Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the 29th chief
- Framework
- VAYU: readiness, self-reliance, innovation and unity of effort
- Combat strength
- 29 squadrons, compared with a sanctioned strength of 42
- Flying experience
- More than 3,500 hours
- First air base visit
- Uttarlai air force station, Barmer
6 sources
New Air Chief Gets To Work
India's Air Force outlines new strategic vision focused on readiness, self-reliance and innovation
Restoring fighter strength, accelerating Tejas & AMCA projects, boosting triservice synergy my top priori
Every squadron, air defence unit, air warrior must be ready to respond at moment’s notice: IAF Chief Dixit
Air Chief Marshal Dixit takes charge of IAF amid modernisation push
What people are saying
The Air Force, while transforming into the force that India will need in the next decade, must always be ready to fight and win
We will fight with Indian solutions, and we will hold them in numbers and that must sustain operations demands.
Every squadron, every radar, every air defence unit along with each and every air warrior must be ready to respond at a moment's notice
Air power delivers most when it is integrated from the very first plan.