Air Marshal PV Naik to take over as new IAF chief

23 March 2009

New Delhi: Air Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik, VSM, ADC has been designated as the new chief of staff of the Indian Air Force and will assume command on 31 May when current chief , Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major,  retires. Air Marshal Naik is currently vice-chief of air staff.

In accordance with custom the government has announced its decision two months in advance of the post falling vacant.

Unlike Air Chief Marshal Fali Homi Major, who holds the unique distinction of being the first helicopter pilot to head the air force, Air Marshal Naik is a fighter pilot commissioned in 1969. He has logged 3085 flying hours in his long and distinguished career and has also seen action during the 1971 conflict with Pakistan.

In a distinguished career of 38 years with the air force, he has flown all MiG-21 variants and MiG-23-BNs.

He is also a qualified flying instructor and a fighter combat leader.

Air Marshal Naik held several key positions before his appointment as vice chief including command of the Allahabad-based Central Air Command. He has been a fellow of the National Defence College in New Delhi and College of Defence Management in Secundrabad.