Overview
- Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit took charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on Monday, Nov. 2, 2026 and began his tenure with a forward‑base inspection and meetings with defence leaders.
- Dixit announced a four‑part strategy called VAYU — vigilance, aatmanirbharta (self‑reliance), yukti (ingenuity) and unity of effort — to guide readiness, indigenisation and joint operations.
- He made restoring the IAF’s combat strength to the authorised level his foremost task, noting the force currently fields about 29 fighter squadrons while the sanctioned strength is 42.
- Dixit pressed urgent procurement and capability priorities including speeding Tejas Mk 1A deliveries, advancing the proposed purchase of 114 multirole fighters, and managing timelines for the indigenous AMCA program.
- He highlighted technology threats such as drones, long‑range precision weapons, space and AI, and signalled investments in AI‑enabled command‑and‑control, counter‑drone layers and near‑space planning while engaging Agniveervayu recruits as part of force renewal.