Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit, Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS), accompanied by Smt Archana Dixit, Vice President of the Air Force Families Welfare Association (AFFWA), called on the President of India and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces, Smt Droupadi Murmu, at Rashtrapati Bhavan on July 13, 2026. The high-level interaction provided an opportunity to apprise the Supreme Commander of the Indian Air Force’s recent operational accomplishments and its continued efforts towards strengthening national security and aerospace capabilities.
During the meeting, Air Marshal Dixit briefed President Murmu on the Indian Air Force’s recent operational achievements and highlighted the service’s unwavering commitment to protecting the nation’s sovereignty and safeguarding its aerospace interests. The interaction reflected the Indian Air Force’s sustained focus on maintaining operational excellence, technological advancement and mission readiness in an evolving strategic environment.
The Vice Chief of the Air Staff reaffirmed the Indian Air Force’s preparedness to address contemporary and emerging security challenges across the entire spectrum of air and aerospace operations. The briefing underscored the IAF’s vital role in ensuring national defence through its capabilities in air superiority, strategic deterrence, force projection, humanitarian assistance and disaster relief, as well as joint operations alongside the other services of the Indian Armed Forces.
The meeting also highlighted the Indian Air Force’s continuing efforts towards modernisation and capability enhancement through the induction of advanced platforms, greater integration of indigenous technologies and the adoption of future-oriented operational concepts. These initiatives form an integral part of the service’s long-term vision of maintaining technological superiority and operational effectiveness across increasingly complex domains of warfare.
President Droupadi Murmu, as the Supreme Commander of the Defence Forces, remains closely associated with recognising and encouraging the professional achievements of India’s armed forces. Such interactions provide an important platform for senior military leadership to brief the Head of State on key operational developments, institutional initiatives and the armed forces’ contribution towards safeguarding national interests.
Smt Archana Dixit’s presence at the meeting also reflected the important role played by the Air Force Families Welfare Association in supporting the welfare and well-being of Indian Air Force personnel and their families. AFFWA continues to contribute significantly towards initiatives aimed at promoting education, healthcare, skill development and social welfare within the Air Force community.
The Indian Air Force has consistently strengthened its operational capabilities through sustained modernisation, enhanced combat preparedness and greater emphasis on self-reliance in defence technologies. The service remains committed to protecting India’s vast airspace and strategic interests while adapting to the evolving character of modern warfare, which increasingly encompasses the air, space and cyber domains.
Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit’s interaction with the President reaffirmed the Indian Air Force’s enduring commitment to maintaining the highest standards of professionalism, operational excellence and service to the nation. It also underscored the service’s determination to remain a technologically advanced and combat-ready force capable of safeguarding India’s sovereignty and aerospace interests in an increasingly dynamic security landscape.
