Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia named next IAF Vice Chief
Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff for the Indian Air Force. He brings extensive experience as a fighter pilot and command officer to the role.
Why it matters
This is a significant leadership change within the Indian military, impacting national defense strategy and operations.
New Delhi Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia will be the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff, the Defence Ministry announced on Friday (October 30, 2026). He will succeed incumbent Vice Chief Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who will take charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday. Air Marshal Walia is currently serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command. The officer is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 11, 1988. He is qualified on all variants of the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI jets.
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