Associated News Bureau

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia Appointed Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force

NEW DELHI, OCTOBER 30: Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia, AVSM, VM, has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS), with effect from November 1, 2026. He is currently serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Walia was commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force (IAF) on June 11, 1988. Over a distinguished career spanning nearly four decades, he has flown several variants of the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI aircraft. During his service, he has held several key operational, command and staff assignments, including command of a frontline fighter squadron, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), and Air Force Station Bareilly. He has also headed the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI) and served as the Senior Air Staff Officer of Eastern Air Command. His international assignments include serving as Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Japan and South Korea. He has also completed the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College course in Bangladesh. An avid reader, Air Marshal Walia holds three postgraduate degrees in Defence 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. He will succeed Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who is scheduled to assume charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on October 31, 2026. ANB