Air Marshal SP Dharkar Steps into Vice Chief of Air Staff Position

Air Marshal SP Dharkar, a distinguished fighter pilot with an impressive 3,600 hours of flying experience, took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff. His extensive expertise in aviation and leadership positions within the Indian Air Force is expected to bolster the operational readiness and strategic capabilities of the service.

Predecessor

• He succeeded Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh who became the Chief of Air Staff. 

Flight Experience

• Air Marshal SP Dharkar has a rich flying experience of over 3,600 hours, during which he has piloted various types of fighter jets and trainer aircraft. He has commanded a MiG-27 squadron.

Qualifications

• A qualified flying instructor, fighter strike leader, and instrument rating instructor.
• Commissioned in the fighter stream in 1985, he is an alumnus of several prestigious institutions, including,
• Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC)
• National Defence Academy (NDA)
• Defence Services Staff College
• US Air War College

Command Roles

• He has commanded a frontline fighter unit and served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Eastern Air Command before his current role as Vice Chief of Air Staff.
• Held the position of the first Director General of the Defence Space Agency (DSA), overseeing the establishment of this new organization.

• He has also served as the Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Training) at the Air Headquarters, contributing to the training and development of air personnel.
• Under his leadership, the DSA (Defence Space Agency) was responsible for handling all aspects of military space operations and exploitation by the Indian Defence Forces.

Expectations

• Air Marshal Dharkar’s new role as Vice Chief of Air Staff places him at the helm of India’s Air Force, and his vast experience and strategic vision are expected to further enhance the IAF’s operational readiness and technological advancements. 
• The IAF (Indian Air Force), under his leadership, is set to continue its focus on modernizing its forces and ensuring national security through a strong and resilient airpower framework.