LCA test pilot RKS Bhadauria is next IAF Chief

New Delhi, September 19

Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria has been appointed the next IAF Chief. He will take over on September 30 when incumbent Air Chief Marshal BS Dhanoa retires.

Air Marshal Bhadauria, now Vice-Chief, was to superannuate on September 30, the same day as Dhanoa. In the armed forces, the Chief retires at 62 years while those in a lower rank retire at 60. In the past, Air Marshal NC Suri became the IAF Chief the day he was to retire i.e. on July 31, 1991.

Air Marshal Bhadauria earlier commanded Ambala-based 5 Squadron, the Tuskers. He has been a test pilot with the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) that has designed LCA Tejas.— TNS