IAF Appoints New Vice Chief; Tri-Services and Army’s Northern Command Announce Leadership Changes

New Delhi: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is set to welcome a new Vice Chief with Air Marshal Narmadeshwar Tiwari taking over from Air Marshal SP Dharkar, who retires on April 30 after over four decades of service. Tiwari currently commands the South Western Air Command based in Gandhinagar.

Following his appointment, the leadership of the South Western Air Command will be passed on to the present head of the Training Command.

Additionally, the Integrated Defence Staff of the tri-services will see a leadership change. Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit has been selected to become the new Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), succeeding Lt Gen JP Matthew, who will also retire on April 30. The CISC plays a crucial role in facilitating coordination between the Army, Navy, and Air Force, supporting the Chief of Defence Staff in managing joint military affairs.

Air Marshal Dixit, an experienced Mirage 2000 pilot, currently leads the Central Air Command in Prayagraj and will assume his new role starting May 1.

In parallel, the Indian Army’s Northern Command, which oversees critical operations along the China and Pakistan borders in Jammu and Kashmir and Ladakh, will also have a new commander. Lt Gen Prateek Sharma, presently serving as Deputy Chief of Army Staff (Strategy) at Army Headquarters and formerly Director General of Military Operations, will replace Lt Gen MV Suchindra Kumar, who is retiring on April 30.

Lt Gen Sharma had recently accompanied Army Chief Gen Upendra Dwivedi to Srinagar following the Pahalgam terror attack.