Arup Raha, a veteran fighter pilot, took over as the new IAF chief on Tuesday after the incumbent Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne retired. Raha will be at the helm for three years.
In his message to the IAF, Air Chief Marshal Raha said the force is on a trajectory of modernisation and is transforming into a strategic aerospace power with full spectrum capability.
“In this strategic transformation process, I expect sustained efforts and special attention from all air warriors to maintain high operational status of the legacy equipment, while operationalising the new inductions in a time-bound manner,” he said.
Raha also said the IAF will continue to support the maintenance of security forces deployed for counter-insurgency operations in northern and eastern sectors adding air maintenance is appreciated by the military, para- military, central agencies and state authorities.
An alumni of Sainik School, Tillaiyya, Raha was commissioned into the fighter stream of IAF on December 14, 1974 and has held various command, staff and instructional appointments in his 39-year-old career. He has also served as Air Attache at the Embassy of India in Ukraine.
In another senior appointment, Army’s Eastern Command chief lt General Dalbir Suhag will take charge as the new vice chief of Staff on Wednesday. Suhag is likely to succeed Army Chief General Bikram Singh who retires in July next year. lt General MMS Rai, at present Chief of Staff of South Western Command, will take over as the next chief of Eastern Command in Kolkata.