All you need to know about Air Marshal VR Chaudhari - India's next Chief of Air Staff

In a key development, Air Marshal VR Chaudhari, presently Vice Chief of Air Staff has been announced as succeeding Chief of Air Staff of Indian Air Force. incumbent Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal RKS Bhauria is set to retire from services on September 30, Ministry of Defence stated.

As Indian Air Force is set to see a change at top soon as 27th Chief of Air Staff is being inducted by September-end, it is imperative to understand Government's decision to appoint him. 

Here is all you need to know about Air Marshal VR Chaudhari

Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari took over as Vice Chief of Air Staff on July 1, 2021, while Lieutenant Governor Sanjeev Kumar Sharma assumed office as Deputy Chief of Army Staff (strategy). An alumnus of National Defence Acemy, prior to serving as Vice Chief of Indian Air Force, he was Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of Western Air Command. While he h succeeded Vice Chief of Air Staff HS Arora, Air Marshal VR Chaudhari is an alumnus of  Defence Services Staff College, Wellington too. 

Air Marshal VR Chaudhari was commissioned into fighter stream of Air Force on December 29, 1982, and possesses a flying experience of over 3800 hours on a wide variety of fighter and trainer aircraft including MiG-21, MiG-23MF, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI, a statement by Indian Air Force said. He has held various Command, Staff and instructional appointments at various levels including commanding a MiG-29 Squron and current office as Vice Chief.

Indian Air Force felicitations to Air Marshal VR Chaudhari

Furrmore, Air Officer is decorated with Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM) which is awarded in recognition of peace-time service of most exceptional order; Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) which is a military award in country felicitated to recognise 'distinguished service of an exceptional order' and Vayusena Medal which is awarded in peacetime for service well done in Indian Air Force. 

Air Marshal Chaudhari has served as an instructor at DSSC Wellington as well as DSCSC at Lusaka, Zambia. He held position of Chief Operations Officer at Air Force Station in Srinagar, Jammu & Kashmir as well.