Indian Air Force Vice Chief: The Indian Air Force (IAF) is getting a new Vice Chief of the Air Staff. Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has been appointed to the post and will officially take charge on Sunday, November 1, 2026. He currently serves as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command.
Walia will replace Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who is set to become the 29th Chief of the Indian Air Force on October 31. Dixit will take over from the outgoing Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh. The Ministry of Defence announced Walia’s new appointment on October 30.
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Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia’s Career in the Indian Air Force
Air Marshal Walia has served in the Indian Air Force for nearly four decades. He joined the fighter stream on June 11, 1988, after completing his training at the National Defence Academy (NDA).
During his career, he has worked in several important positions and handled major responsibilities. He has also commanded a frontline fighter squadron and the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE). He previously served as the Air Officer Commanding at Air Force Station Bareilly.
Walia is trained to fly several fighter aircraft used by the IAF. These include the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI. He has also completed more than 3,200 hours of accident-free flying.
He has received training at the Advanced Command & Staff Course in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College (NDC) in Bangladesh. He has also handled different senior positions in the Air Force during his service.
Walia’s Awards, Education and Previous Responsibilities
Apart from his flying experience, Air Marshal Walia has also worked in several important defence and administrative roles. He headed the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI), which is responsible for checking the work and standards of Air Force units.
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He also served as a Defence Attaché at the Indian embassies in Japan and South Korea. Before becoming the head of Eastern Air Command, he worked as the Senior Air Staff Officer of the same command.
Walia is also an avid reader and holds three postgraduate degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies. His long service has earned him two major military honours. He received the Vayu Sena Medal (VM) in 2008 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2018.
He took charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Eastern Air Command on February 1, 2026.
