Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry takes charge as chief of Central Air Command

NEW DELHI, June 1 — Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry assumed the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Central Air Command today. Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1989, Chaudhry is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare, and National Defence College.

Over his distinguished career, the Air Marshal has held several vital operational, staff, and diplomatic appointments, including serving as the Defence Attache at the Embassy of India in Sweden with concurrent accreditation to Norway, Finland, and Denmark.

He has also undertaken key staff assignments at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and Air Headquarters, specializing in the domains of projects, acquisition, and human resource management.

Throughout his service, the Air Marshal has spearheaded several transformative projects aimed at capability enhancement and the induction of future technologies in the Indian Air Force.

Prior to taking charge of the Central Air Command, he held the appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Southern Air Command.

Chaudhry succeeds Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, who superannuated on May 31, 2026, after 40 years of distinguished and devoted service to the nation.