‘VAYU’ vision: New IAF Chief Ashutosh Dixit’s roadmap for a future-ready Air Force

Newly-appointed Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit on Sunday said restoring the Indian Air Force's sanctioned fighter squadron strength, advancing self-reliance in terms of platforms and weapon systems and ensuring tri-services synergy will be his top priorities. A day after assuming charge as the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Dixit outlined his core focus areas under the acronym VAYU, defining his vision as Vigilance and operational readiness, Aatmanirbharta (self-reliance), Yukti (tactical innovation), and Unity of effort across the tri-services. "Our security environment remains demanding. In addition, the character of war is being reshaped by new technologies and systems like drones, long-range precision weapons, space, cyber, AI and the electromagnetic spectrum," he said.