Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor to Take Over as Vice Chief of Air Staff Today
Decorated fighter pilot led key operations during Operation Sindoor
- Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor to assume charge as Vice Chief of Air Staff
- Currently serving as AOC-in-C, South Western Air Command
- Honoured with Yudh Seva Medal for role in Operation Sindoor
- Veteran fighter pilot with over 3,400 flying hours
GG News Bureau
New Delhi, 1st Jan: Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor will assume charge as the Vice Chief of Air Staff of the Indian Air Force on January 1, 2026. He is currently serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), South Western Air Command, headquartered in Gandhinagar.
Earlier this year, Air Marshal Kapoor was awarded the Yudh Seva Medal for his exemplary leadership and operational planning during Operation Sindoor, when the Indian Air Force conducted multiple precision strikes on Pakistani air bases between May 6 and May 10, inflicting heavy damage.
Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on December 6, 1986, Air Marshal Kapoor is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA), Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and the National Defence College (NDC).
A qualified Flying Instructor and Fighter Combat Leader, he has logged over 3,400 hours of accident-free flying. He has also served as India’s Defence Attaché to Pakistan.
During his distinguished career, he has held several key operational and staff appointments, including Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron in the Central Sector, Station Commander of a flying base in the Western Sector and Air Officer Commanding of a major air base.
He has also served as Directing Staff at the Defence Services Staff College and as Chief Instructor (Flying) at the Air Force Academy, where he played a pivotal role in the induction and operationalisation of PC-7 Mk II aircraft into the Indian Air Force.
