Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria appointed as next IAF Chief

The government has announced the appointment of Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria as the next chief of the Indian Air Force. He will take over the reins of the Air Force from the incumbent IAF Chief B S Dhanoa on September 30, upon his superannuation.

Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria

Air Marshal Bhadauria is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and was commissioned into the fighter pilot stream of Indian Air Force in June 1980. He commanded Flight Test Squadron at Aircraft & System Testing Establishment (ASTE) & was the Project Director of National Flight Test Centre on Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) project. As DCAS, he was instrumental in the finalisation of the contract of Rafale aircraft for IAF.

During his nearly four decades career, he has held various Commands, Staff and instructional appointments at various levels including the present one as Vice Chief of Air Staff. He has around 4250 hours of experience on 26 types of fighters and transport aircraft with the unique distinction of being an Experimental Test Pilot, a category ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and a Pilot Attack Instructor.

Air Marshal Bhadauria was due to retire the same day (30 Sep) as Dhanoa. But now his appointment as IAF chief will give him an additional two-year term in office.