Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria took over as the 26th Chief of Indian Air Force (IAF) on Monday.
Bhadauria, who was the Vice Chief of Air Staff (VCAS), has now succeeded Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa.
Delhi: Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa demits office of the Chief of Air Staff on superannuation; Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria takes charge as the Chief of the Indian Air Force.@IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/bDDsVWFKZT
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) September 30, 2019
Bhadauria was appointed as the new chief of IAF earlier in this month by the government. His term will last for two years.
On being aksed about the Rafale aircraft after taking charge as IAF chief, he said: “Rafale is a very capable aircraft. It will be a game changer in our operational capability. It will give India an edge over Pakistan and China.”
Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhadauria on Rafale aircraft: #Rafale is a very capable aircraft. It will be a game changer in our operational capability. It will give India an edge over #Pakistan and #China.@IAF_MCC pic.twitter.com/aXk0K5IKgd
— NewsMobile (@NewsMobileIndia) September 30, 2019
Bhadauria also paid tribute at the National War Memorial after taking charge as the IAF Chief.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria, laid wreath at National War Memorial, today. He visited the #NWM after taking over as the Chief of Indian Air Force. pic.twitter.com/cW92IS5NxP
— Indian Air Force (@IAF_MCC) September 30, 2019
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Pune, Bhadauria has clocked over 4,250 hours of flying and has flown 26 different types of fighter jets during his lifetime.
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The new IAF chief had served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command from March 2017 to August 2018.
He also served as Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Training Command from August 2018 and held the office till his elevation to the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in May this year.