Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, a seasoned fighter pilot, has been appointed as the new head of the Indian Air Force’s (IAF) Central Air Command, based in Prayagraj. He assumes command on September 1, succeeding Air Marshal RGK Kapoor, who retired on Saturday.
Dixit’s extensive experience in the IAF spans over three decades, having been commissioned into the fighter stream on December 6, 1986. His qualifications include being an Experimental Test Pilot and a Qualified Flying Instructor, with over 3,300 hours of flying experience on various aircraft within the IAF’s fleet. He is a distinguished alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College (Bangladesh), and the National Defence College.
Dixit’s operational experience includes active participation in several IAF missions and exercises, notably Operation Safed Sagar during the Kargil War and Operation Bakshak. He has held pivotal positions within the IAF, serving as the Air Defence Commander of the Southern Air Command, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Plans) at Air Headquarters.
As Deputy Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters, Dixit played a crucial role in driving the IAF’s ‘Aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance) initiative. He spearheaded several projects aimed at integrating future technologies and ensuring the IAF’s modernization while maintaining a strong focus on self-reliance.
Recently, the IAF granted clearance to Bharat Dynamics Limited (BDL), a public sector firm, for the production of 200 Astra Mark 1 air-to-air missiles. Developed by the Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO) with BDL as its production agency, the Astra Mark 1 missiles will be integrated onto both the Russian-origin Su-30 and the indigenous LCA Tejas fighter aircraft. This clearance was granted during a visit by Deputy Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit to Hyderabad.
The Astra program, which is being gradually progressed by DRDO and the IAF, is currently focusing on testing the Mark 2 version of the weapon system at a range of approximately 130 kilometers. This appointment of Air Marshal Dixit at the helm of the Central Air Command underscores the IAF’s commitment to modernization and its strategic focus on enhancing its operational capabilities in the region.
