New chief for IAF’s Central Air Command

Lucknow: Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry, on Monday assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Indian Air Force’s Central Air Command.

An experienced fighter pilot, Air Marshal Chaudhry was commissioned into the fighter stream of the IAF in Dec 1989 and brings with him more than three decades of distinguished service across operational, staff and diplomatic assignments.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare and National Defence College, Air Marshal Chaudhry has held several key appointments during his illustrious career. His overseas assignment included serving as defence attache at the embassy of India in Sweden, with concurrent accreditation to Norway, Finland and Denmark.

He has also undertaken important staff responsibilities at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS) and Air Headquarters, where he specialised in projects, acquisitions and human resource management. Throughout his career, he has played a pivotal role in advancing capability enhancement initiatives and driving the induction of future technologies into the Indian Air Force.

Prior to his new appointment, Air Marshal Chaudhry served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Southern Air Command. His appointment to lead the Central Air Command comes at a time when the Indian Air Force continues to focus on operational preparedness and technological modernisation.

Air Marshal Chaudhry succeeds Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, PVSM, AVSM, VM, who retired on May 31, 2026, after rendering 40 years of distinguished and dedicated service to the nation. The change of command marks a new chapter in the leadership of the Central Air Command.