Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria Appointed New IAF Chief, to Takeover From BS Dhanoa on September 30
Bhadauria was also scheduled to retire on the same day as Dhanoa. However, his appointment to the top post will defer his retirement. Under normal circumstances, the tenure of IAF chief is fixed for three years. But Bhadauria would be able to serve only for the next two years, as he will reach the age of 62 in 2021 -- which would lead to his compulsory retirement.
New Delhi, September 19: Air Marshal RKS Bhadauria has been appointed as the new chief of staff of the Indian Air Force (IAF), according to the statement issued by the government on Thursday. The Prime Minister's Office (PMO), in consultation with the Defence Ministry, sealed the name of Bhadauria as the next IAF chief. The decorated Air Force officer is currently serving as the vice chief of the IAF. BS Dhanoa Flies Last MiG-21 Sortie With Wing Commander Abhinandan Varthaman, Watch Video.
Bhadauria will take over the reigns from Air Marshal BS Dhanoa, who is currently at the helm of the Air Force. Dhanoa's tenure is scheduled to end on September 30, when he would retire from the IAF after serving for nearly four decades.
Statement by MoD Spokesperson:
Notably, Bhadauria was also scheduled to retire on the same day as Dhanoa. However, his appointment to the top post will defer his retirement. Under normal circumstances, the tenure of IAF chief is fixed for three years. But Bhadauria would be able to serve only for the next two years, as he will reach the age of 62 in 2021 -- which would lead to his compulsory retirement.
Bhadauria has spent nearly 36 years with the IAF, and has held several posts including the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C), Southern Air Command between March 2017 and August 2018. He also served as the AOC-in-C, Training Command till May this year, when he was elevated to the post of vice IAF chief.
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Sep 19, 2019 06:21 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).