NEW DELHI, OCT 30: Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia, has been appointed as the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force, marking another significant milestone in a distinguished military career spanning nearly four decades. He will assume the prestigious appointment on November 1, 2026, succeeding Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who is scheduled to take over as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on October 31.
Air Marshal Walia is presently serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command, a key operational command of the Indian Air Force. His elevation to the position of Vice Chief reflects his extensive experience in fighter operations, operational leadership, strategic planning and senior-level command responsibilities.
Commissioned into the Fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on June 11, 1988, Air Marshal Walia is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy. Over the course of his illustrious service, he has developed considerable expertise in fighter aviation and is qualified to fly multiple variants of the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30 MKI aircraft.
His career has been marked by a series of important operational, command and staff assignments. He has commanded a frontline fighter squadron, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE), and Air Force Station Bareilly, where he served as Air Officer Commanding. These assignments provided him with extensive exposure to fighter operations, combat tactics, training and the management of operational air bases.
Beyond operational command, Air Marshal Walia has held several strategically important appointments within the defence establishment. He headed the Directorate of Air Staff Inspection (DASI) of the Indian Air Force and served as Defence Attaché at the Indian Embassy in Japan and South Korea, representing India’s defence interests and facilitating military cooperation with the two countries.
He has also served as Senior Air Staff Officer of the Eastern Air Command before being appointed its Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief. His professional journey includes international exposure through the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College course in Bangladesh.
Academically inclined and an avid reader, Air Marshal Walia holds three postgraduate degrees in Defence and Strategic Studies, reflecting his sustained engagement with military affairs, national security and strategic thought.
His contributions to the Indian Air Force have been recognised through prestigious gallantry and distinguished-service honours. He was conferred the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2018.
With his assumption of charge as Vice Chief of the Air Staff, Air Marshal Walia will take on a key leadership responsibility in the senior command structure of the Indian Air Force, bringing with him extensive experience in fighter operations, institutional administration, international defence engagement and operational command.
