NEW DELHI: New Indian Air Force chief Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, in his first address after taking charge on Sunday, said restoring the sanctioned fighter squadron strength, accelerating indigenous programmes like Light Combat Aircraft ‘Tejas’ and fifth-generation Advanced Medium Combat Aircraft (AMCA), and strengthening tri-services synergy will be his top priorities.“Tejas MklA and lI, AMCA, Indian sensors and Indian weapons are our highest priority. We will fight with Indian solutions, and we will hold them in numbers that meet our operational demands. Our responsibility is to fight and win, but most importantly it is to deter conflict through credible air power,” the 29th IAF chief, an accomplished fighter pilot with over 3,500 flying hours, said on Sunday. He said “restoring” the IAF’s combat strength towards the “sanctioned level” will also be his “foremost task”.The new chief arrived at the parade ground in an electric vehicle, in a move reflecting his push for green mobility.Dixit outlined his core focus areas under the acronym VAYU, defining his ‘vision’ as vigilance and operational readiness, ‘aatmanirbharta’ (self-reliance), ‘yukti’ (tactical innovation), and ‘unity’ of effort across the tri-services.As India’s combat squadrons have depleted to 29 from the sanctioned strength of 42, the IAF is desperately seeking to raise the strength of fighters. The IAF is eagerly waiting for the induction of 180 LCA MK1A aircraft, being manufactured by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd under two contracts. While the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and HAL are working on the LCA Mk 2 variant, the framework for developing AMCA is being finalised. The IAF is also hoping for an early deal with France on 114 Rafale jets.On the current security situation, the new IAF chief said, “Our security environment remains demanding. In addition, the character of war is being reshaped by new technologies and systems like drones, long-range precision weapons, space, cyber, Al and the electromagnetic spectrum. The air force, while transforming into the force that India will need in the next decade, must always be ready to fight and win.”Dixit also lauded his predecessor Air Chief Marshal AP Singh, saying the IAF, under his leadership, displayed what “precise and decisive” air power can achieve during Operation Sindoor. “I thank him for handing over a force in a high state of readiness,” he said.“To the fellow citizens of my motherland, please trust that your Air Force is vigilant, ready and resolute. Our commitment is clear —to remain ready, to keep transforming and to deliver whenever the nation calls,” he said.The IAF chief also underlined his priorities for the welfare of air warriors, Agniveers (Vayu), civilians, veterans, Veer Naris and their families. “Their training, professional excellence, morale, safety, welfare and dignity will have my personal attention.”Before receiving the guard of honour, new Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit laid a wreath at the National War Memorial (NWM) to honour fallen heroes. Accompanied by family members, he sought blessings of his mother, Nirmala Dixit, and mother-in-law, Kamla Pandey, touching their feet prior to the ceremony.
