Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia appointed as next IAF Chief

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia. Photo credit: X/IAF_MCC

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia will be the next Chief of Air Staff, the Ministry of Defense announced on Friday (Oct 30, 2026).

He replaces acting Vice President Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who will take charge as the 29th Chief of Air Staff on Saturday.

Air Marshal Walia is currently serving as the Air Chief of the Eastern Air Command.

The officer is a graduate of the National Defense Academy and was inducted into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on 11 June 1988.

It is qualified on all variants of the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI aircraft.

In a career spanning nearly four decades, Air Marshal Walia has held various command and staff appointments.

He commanded the frontline fighter squadron, Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and was the Air Officer Commanding Air Force Station Bareilly.

Completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom.

Air Marshal Walia also headed the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI) of the IAF, served as the Defense Attaché at the Indian Embassies in Japan and South Korea and was the Senior Air Staff Officer of the Eastern Air Command.

He holds three postgraduate degrees in Defense and Strategic Studies.

In recognition of his distinguished service, he was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2018.

Published – 30 October 2026 22:55 IST