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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, one of the service’s key operational commands responsible for air operations across a vast swathe of northern and central India.
A highly experienced fighter pilot and senior commander, Air Marshal Chaudhry was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1989. Over a career spanning more than three decades, he has held a range of operational, staff and diplomatic appointments, gaining extensive experience in force development, acquisitions and international defence cooperation.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, College of Air Warfare, and National Defence College, Air Marshal Chaudhry brings to the appointment a strong blend of operational and strategic expertise.
Before taking over the Central Air Command, he served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Southern Air Command, where he was closely involved in operational preparedness and force modernisation initiatives.
During his career, Air Marshal Chaudhry has held several significant assignments, including serving as India’s Defence Attaché in Sweden with concurrent accreditation to Norway, Finland and Denmark. He has also undertaken key staff tenures at the Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff and the Air Headquarters, where he worked extensively in projects, acquisitions, and human resource management.
The officer is credited with leading a number of capability enhancement programmes and technology induction initiatives aimed at strengthening the Indian Air Force’s operational effectiveness and preparing the service for future warfare requirements.
Air Marshal Chaudhry succeeds Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, who retired on May 31 after completing 40 years of service. During his tenure, Air Marshal Manikantan oversaw critical operational and training responsibilities within the command and contributed significantly to the IAF’s readiness and force development efforts.
The change of command comes at a time when the Indian Air Force continues to focus on modernisation, network-centric warfare capabilities and enhanced operational preparedness amid evolving regional security challenges.
Central Air Command, headquartered in Prayagraj, plays a crucial role in safeguarding India’s airspace and supporting joint military operations, making the appointment one of the Indian Air Force’s most significant command assignments.
Team BharatShakti
