Amid Rising India-Pakistan Tensions, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit Takes Over as Chief Of Integrated Defence Staff

Amid escalating tensions between India and Pakistan following the recent Pahalgam attack, Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit assumed charge as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC) on 1 May.

According to reports, fearing a possible Indian retaliatory attack after Pahalgam, Pakistan is pushing their air defence and electronic assets to bordering areas.

The Pahalgam attack, which has heightened security concerns in the region, has led to increased vigilance along the Line of Control (LoC) and reinforced the integration of the Army, Navy, and Air Force operations.

In this critical period, Air Marshal Dixit’s appointment is expected to strengthen joint operational capabilities and enhance defence preparedness.

In a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, the Air Marshal has served in numerous command, staff, and instructional roles and has been honoured with the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vayu Sena Medal for his exemplary service, the Press Information Bureau (PIB) reported.

Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 6 December 1986, Air Marshal Dixit is a graduate of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; the Defence Services Staff College, Bangladesh; and the National Defence College, New Delhi.

He is also a qualified flying instructor and experimental test pilot with more than 3,300 flying hours across 20 aircraft types, including the Mirage-2000, MiG 21, and Jaguar.

Among his notable command tenures, Dixit led a premier fighter training base in the southern sector, which was adjudged the best in the command under his leadership.

As a test pilot and later as Commanding Officer of the Flight Test Squadron at the Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment in Bangalore, he contributed significantly to indigenous upgrade programmes, including avionics enhancements for the Jaguar and MiG 27.

In his role as Director of Air Staff Requirements, Dixit played a crucial part in planning and conducting the Medium Multi-Role Combat Aircraft (MMRCA) trials.