New IAF Chief Ashutosh Dixit unveils 'VAYU' as guiding vision for the Indian Air Force
On 1 November 2026, Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, began his tenure by unveiling 'VAYU' — Vigilance, Aatmanirbharta, Yukti and Unity of Effort — as the guiding vision for the IAF.
Summary
Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, the 29th Chief of the Air Staff, commenced his tenure on 1 November 2026 by paying homage at the National War Memorial, followed by a Guard of Honour at Air Force Station New Delhi. In his opening address he set out the guiding theme 'VAYU' with four pillars: V for Vigilance, Victory and Readiness (including restoring combat strength to sanctioned levels), A for Aatmanirbharta, Y for Yukti (innovation, including AI-enabled command and control and counter-drone capabilities) and U for Unity of Effort with the Army, Navy and national agencies. The vision is aligned with the national theme of JAI — Jointness, Aatmanirbharta and Innovation.
Key facts
- Vision
- 'VAYU'
- V
- Vigilance, Victory and Readiness
- A
- Aatmanirbharta
- Y
- Yukti (ingenuity and innovation)
- U
- Unity of Effort
- Unveiled by
- Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, 29th CAS
- Date
- 1 November 2026
- Linked national theme
- JAI — Jointness, Aatmanirbharta, Innovation
Practice MCQs 2 questions
What guiding vision did Air Chief Marshal Ashutosh Dixit unveil for the Indian Air Force on 1 November 2026?
Show answer
Correct answer: A — VAYU
In the IAF's 'VAYU' vision unveiled in November 2026, what does the letter 'Y' stand for?
Show answer
Correct answer: B — Yukti