Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on Monday took charge as the 26th chief of the Indian Air Force.
He succeeds B.S. Dhanoa, who retired after 41 years of service in the Indian Air Force.
Speaking to mediapersons on taking charge, Bhadauria declared the Rafale fighter aircraft, being purchased from France, was a “game changer”. Bhadauria said, “Once inducted, Rafale will be a game changer in terms of our capability. Once used in conjunction with the SU-30 and other aircraft, the Rafale will give a serious jump in capability.” When asked by a reporter on whether the Rafale will give the Indian Air Force an “edge” over Pakistan and China, Bhadauria replied, “of course”.
Bhadauria is one of the few senior Indian Air Force pilots to fly a Rafale jet. In July, during Exercise Garuda between the air forces of India and France, Bhadauria had flown the Rafale aircraft. Bhadauria was extensively involved in negotiations to finalise the purchase of 36 Rafale jets from France.
Background
Air Chief Marshal Bhadauria was commissioned in the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in June 1980, and has held various command, staff and instructional positions.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Bhadauria had won the coveted 'sword of honour' for standing first in the overall order of merit.
During his nearly four-decade career, Bhadauria commanded a Jaguar squadron and a premier Air Force Station.
Bhadauria devised a method for carrying bombing missions from the Jaguar aircraft using the Global Positioning System (GPS). This was especially relevant for the bombing role of Jaguar aircraft in Operation Safed Sagar in Kargil in 1999.
Bhadauria also has 4,250 hours of flying experience on 26 types of fighters and transport aircraft.
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Bhadauria is one of the few Air Force pilots to fly a Rafale jet. In July, during Exercise Garuda between the Air Forces of India and France, Bhadauria had flown the Rafale aircraft.
Bhadauria was the air attache at the Indian Embassy in Moscow, Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Projects), Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Deputy Chief of the Air Staff at Air Head Quarter and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Air Command.
(With PTI inputs)
