IAF Gets New Vice Chief: Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari Takes Over

Nw Dellhi (The Uttam Hindu): Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari has taken charge as the new Vice Chief of the Indian Air Force, succeeding Air Marshal SP Dharkar, who superannuated on April 30. Prior to this appointment, Air Marshal Tiwari commanded the IAF's South Western Air Command at Gandhinagar. He carries an interesting war-time legacy, having played a key role in operationalising the 'Litening' laser designation pod during the Kargil Operations in 1999. This technology significantly enhanced the IAF's precision targeting capabilities against Pakistani troops occupying mountain heights during the conflict.

The new Vice Chief of the IAF has an impressive background, having flown the Mirage and Tejas fighter jets. He served as a test pilot for the Tejas and held the position of Chief Test Pilot at Aircraft and Systems Testing Establishment. Air Marshal Tiwari was also actively involved in the flight testing of the Tejas fighter jet from 2006 to 2009 and again in 2018-19 as Project Director (Flight Test) at National Flight Test Centre, contributing to the final operational clearance of the Tejas.

With over 3,600 hours of flying experience, Air Marshal Tiwari is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Experimental Test Pilot. He completed his schooling at the Rashtriya Indian Military College (RIMC) in Dehradun before joining the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasala. He graduated from the NDA in June 1985 with the President's Gold Medal and was commissioned as a Fighter Pilot in the IAF in June 1986. Additionally, he is a graduate of the Air Command and Staff College, USA.