Indian Air Force Chief meets President, Prime Minister and discusses engagements in defence sphere

COLOMBO (News 1st); Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force called on President Ranil Wickremesinge on Wednesday (3).

According to the Indian High Commission in Sri Lanka discussions were based on avenues for deepening cooperation and engagements in the defence sphere.

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force also called on Prime Minister Dinesh Gunwardena on Wednesday (3).

The Prime Minister underlined that India is the 'First Responder' in the region and acknowledged the significant role of Indian Air Force in this regard. 

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, Chief of the Air Staff of Indian Air Force reiterated the commitment of the Indian Air Force towards deepening India-Sri Lanka defence ties.

The Indian Air Chief is currently visiting Sri Lanka on the invitation of the Commander of Sri Lanka Air Force that aims to facilitate discussions on the development of cooperation between regional air forces, joint training, technical knowledge exchange and expansion of maritime surveillance operations.  

Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force on 29 Dec 1982. 

He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Flying Instructors’ School and Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. The Chief has a rich and varied experience of operational flying, having flown over 3800 hours.

During his career, he has held numerous Command and Staff appointments and has been an Air Force Examiner on fighter and trainer aircraft. He is a Cat ‘A’ Qualified Flying Instructor and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner. 

The Chief has the unique distinction of being an instructor at Defence Services Staff College, Wellington as well as Defence Services Command and Staff College, Zambia.

The Air Chief Marshal has commanded a frontline fighter squadron and two important fighter bases. Some of his notable assignments include Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Air Defence), Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Personnel Officers) and Deputy Chief of the Air Staff, where he spearheaded several major procurement cases of the IAF. 

He later was Air Officer Commanding-in- Chief of Western Air Command and Vice Chief of the Air Staff before taking over as Chief of the Air Staff on 30 Sep 21.