Air Marshal N Tiwari Becomes New Vice Chief of Indian Air Force
New Delhi, May 3, 2025: Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari has taken charge as the new Vice Chief of the Air Staff, succeeding Air Marshal S P Dharkar, who retired on April 30. The official ceremony was held at Air Headquarters – Vayu Bhawan in New Delhi, where Air Marshal Tiwari was given a guard of honour.
Before stepping into his new role, Air Marshal Tiwari was serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the South Western Air Command (SWAC) based in Gandhinagar. He took over that position in May 2023 and played a key role in strengthening the command’s operational readiness.
Commissioned into the Indian Air Force in June 1986, Air Marshal Tiwari belongs to the fighter stream. He is an alumnus of the prestigious National Defence Academy (NDA) and was awarded the President’s Gold Medal for excellence during training.
With decades of flying experience, Air Marshal Tiwari has operated various fighter aircraft and holds credentials as a qualified flying instructor and an experimental test pilot. According to the Ministry of Defence, he has been deeply involved in testing new weapons and systems, especially on the Mirage-2000 aircraft.
One of the highlights of his career was his active involvement during the Kargil conflict, where he participated in key missions. His leadership and technical skills have contributed significantly to modernising the Indian Air Force.
His appointment as the Vice Chief of Air Staff brings experienced leadership to the top ranks of the IAF at a time when India is focusing on strengthening its defence forces and boosting self-reliance in defence technology.
Air Marshal Tiwari’s vast field experience, strong leadership skills, and dedication make him a fitting choice to support the Chief of Air Staff in managing India’s air defence operations and planning.
