Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia has been appointed the next Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) of the Indian Air Force, the Ministry of Defence announced on Friday. He will take charge at Air Headquarters in New Delhi on Sunday.

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia moves from Eastern Air Command to Air Headquarters

He currently heads the Eastern Air Command at Shillong as its Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief. He assumed that command on 1 February 2026, having earlier served in the same headquarters as Senior Air Staff Officer.

At Air Headquarters he succeeds Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, who takes over as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff on Saturday.

Air Marshal Dixit had held the Vice Chief's post since 1 July. His elevation follows the retirement of Air Chief Marshal AP Singh on Saturday after 42 years of service. With Air Marshal Walia taking over as Vice Chief a day later, the change at the top of the force is complete.

A fighter pilot with more than 3,200 flying hours

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Air Marshal Walia was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 11 June 1988.

He has logged more than 3,200 hours of flying across nearly four decades of service, the ministry said. The aircraft he has flown include the MiG-21, MiG-23, MiG-27, Jaguar and Su-30MKI.

He commanded a MiG-27 squadron, TACDE and Air Force Station Bareilly

His command appointments include a frontline MiG-27 fighter squadron, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment (TACDE) and Air Force Station Bareilly.

According to the ministry, these postings built his experience in fighter operations and combat tactics.

He served as Defence Attache in Japan and South Korea

On the staff side, he has served as Director of Air Staff Inspection (DASI) at Air Headquarters. Abroad, he was India's Defence Attache at the Indian missions in Japan and South Korea, handling defence engagement with both countries. His professional courses include the Advanced Command and Staff Course in the United Kingdom and the National Defence College course in Bangladesh.

He also holds three postgraduate degrees in defence and strategic studies.

Vayu Sena Medal in 2008, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2018

Air Marshal Inderpal Singh Walia was awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2008. A decade later, he was named for the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in the Republic Day honours of 2018.