Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry, AVSM, VSM, has assumed the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Central Air Command (CAC) of the Indian Air Force on June 1, 2026.
He succeeds Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, PVSM, AVSM, VM, who superannuated on May 31, 2026, after rendering four decades of distinguished service to the nation.
Distinguished Career in the Indian Air Force
Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry was commissioned into the Fighter Stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1989.
He is an alumnus of several premier military institutions:
- National Defence Academy (NDA)
- Defence Services Staff College (DSSC)
- College of Air Warfare
- National Defence College (NDC)
Key Appointments Held
During his illustrious career, Air Marshal Chaudhry has held several operational, staff, and diplomatic assignments.
Defence Attaché in Sweden
He served as Defence Attaché at the Embassy of India in:
- Sweden
with concurrent accreditation to:
- Norway
- Finland
- Denmark
Strategic Staff Appointments
He has also served in important positions at:
- Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff (HQ IDS)
- Air Headquarters
His areas of specialization include:
- Defence projects
- Military acquisitions
- Human resource management
- Capability development
Contribution to IAF Modernisation
Air Marshal Chaudhry has played a major role in several transformative initiatives aimed at:
- Enhancing operational capabilities
- Modernizing force structures
- Inducting future technologies
- Strengthening combat readiness
His work has contributed significantly to the Indian Air Force’s modernization and self-reliance efforts.
Previous Appointment
Before assuming command of the Central Air Command, he served as:
Senior Air Staff Officer (SASO)
at the Headquarters of the Southern Air Command.
In this role, he was responsible for overseeing operational planning, training, and administrative functions across one of the IAF’s major operational commands.
About Central Air Command
The Central Air Command, headquartered at Prayagraj (Allahabad), Uttar Pradesh, is one of the seven commands of the Indian Air Force.
The command is strategically important because it:
- Supports air operations across northern and central India.
- Maintains operational readiness.
- Provides logistical and training support.
- Plays a key role in national air defence.
Significance of the Appointment
As Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Air Marshal Tarun Chaudhry will lead one of the Indian Air Force’s most important operational commands at a time when the force is focusing on:
- Force modernization
- Indigenous capability development
- Network-centric warfare
- Integration of advanced technologies
- Enhanced operational preparedness
His extensive experience in operations, acquisitions, and strategic planning is expected to contribute significantly to the command’s future growth and effectiveness.