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{{Short description|Chief of the Indian Air Force}}
{{Short description|27th Chief of the Air Staff (India) (born 1962)}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2023}}
{{Use Indian English|date=March 2023}}
{{Infobox officeholder
{{Infobox officeholder
| honorific_prefix    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| honorific_prefix    = [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| name                = Vivek Ram Chaudhari
| name                = Vivek Ram Chaudhari
| honorific_suffix    = {{Post-nominals|country=IND|PVSM|AVSM|VM|ADC}}
| honorific_suffix    = {{Post-nominals|country=IND|size=90%|PVSM|AVSM|VM|ADC}}
| image              = Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC.jpg
| image              = Chief of the air staff ACM Vivek Ram Chaudhari PVSM AVSM VM ADC.jpg
| image_size          =  
| image_size          =  
| alt                =  
| alt                =  
| caption            = Official portrait, 2021
| caption            = Official portrait
| office              = 27th [[Chief of Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]]
| office              = 27th [[Chief of Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]]
| term_start          = {{Start date|2021|09|30|df=yes}}
| term_start          = {{Start date|2021|09|30|df=yes}}
| term_end            =  
| term_end            = {{Start date|2024|09|30|df=yes}}
| president          = {{ubl|[[Ram Nath Kovind]]|[[Droupadi Murmu]]}}
| president          = {{ubl|[[Ram Nath Kovind]]|[[Droupadi Murmu]]}}
| primeminister      = [[Narendra Modi]]
| predecessor        = [[R. K. S. Bhadauria]]
| predecessor        = [[R. K. S. Bhadauria]]
| successor          =  
| successor          = [[Amar Preet Singh]]
| office1            = 45th [[Vice Chief of Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]]
| office1            = 45th [[Vice Chief of Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]]
| term_start1        = {{Start date|2021|07|01|df=yes}}
| term_start1        = {{Start date|2021|07|01|df=yes}}
Line 28: Line 29:
| allegiance          = {{flag|India}}
| allegiance          = {{flag|India}}
| branch              = {{air force|India}}
| branch              = {{air force|India}}
| serviceyears        = 29 December 1982 - Present
| serviceyears        = 29 December 1982 - 30 September 2024
| rank                = [[File:Indian IAF OF-9.svg|25px]] [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| rank                = [[File:Indian IAF OF-9.svg|25px]] [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]]
| military_blank1    = [[Service number]]
| military_blank1    = [[Service number]]
| military_data1      = 16978<ref name="avsm"/>
| military_data1      = 16978<ref name="avsm"/>
| unit                = [[No. 28 Squadron IAF|No. 28 Squadron]]
| unit                = [[No. 28 Squadron IAF|No. 28 Squadron]]
| commands            = [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]]<br />[[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]]<br />[[Lohegaon Air Force Station]]<br />8 Forward Base Support Unit<br />[[No. 28 Squadron IAF|No. 28 Squadron]]
| commands            = [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]]<br />[[Lohegaon Air Force Station]]<br />8 Forward Base Support Unit<br />[[No. 28 Squadron IAF|No. 28 Squadron]]
| battles            = [[Operation Meghdoot]]<br />[[Kargil war]]
| battles            = [[Operation Meghdoot]]<br />[[Kargil war]]
| battles_label      =  
| battles_label      =  
Line 47: Line 48:
}}
}}


[[Air chief marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] '''Vivek Ram Chaudhari''', {{Post-nominals|country=IND|PVSM|AVSM|VM|ADC}} is an [[air officer]] of the [[Indian Air Force]]. He currently serves as the [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] (CAS). He took over as the 27th CAS succeeding [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]] on 30 September 2021.<ref>{{cite web |last1=P |first1=Rajat |last2=Sep 21 |first2=it / TNN / |title=Air Marshal VR Chaudhari to be next IAF chief {{!}} India News - Times of India |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/india/air-marshal-vr-chaudhari-to-be-next-iaf-chief/articleshow/86401576.cms |website=The Times of India |language=en}}</ref> He earlier served as the 45th [[Vice Chief of Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]] and as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief [[Western Air Command]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1731870|title=AIR MARSHAL VIVEK RAM CHAUDHARI PVSM AVSM VM ASSUMES CHARGE AS VICE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF|publisher=PIB|date=2021-07-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://bharatshakti.in/air-force-change-of-guard-at-critical-posts/|title=Rapid Turnover in IAF Brass|publisher=Bharat Shakti|date=2021-05-29}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1642858|title= Air Marshal VR Chaudhari AVSM VM Assumes Command of Western Air Command|date=2020-08-01}}</ref><ref>{{cite tweet|user=DefencePROPalam|number=1289485201215590400|title=Air Marshal VR Chaudhari has taken over as the Air Officer Commanding in Chief of Western Air Command.|date=2020-08-01}}</ref>
[[Air chief marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] '''Vivek Ram Chaudhari''', {{Post-nominals|country=IND|PVSM|AVSM|VM|ADC}} is a retired four-star [[air officer]] of the [[Indian Air Force]] who served as the [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref name="IndiaToday" /> He took over as the 27th [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]] succeeding [[Air Chief Marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]] on 30 September 2021.<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |date=21 September 2021 |title=Air Marshal V R Chaudhari appointed next Chief of Air Staff |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1756814 |website=PIB}}</ref> He previously served as the 45th [[Vice Chief of Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref name=":1">{{cite web |date=2021-07-01 |title=AIR MARSHAL VIVEK RAM CHAUDHARI PVSM AVSM VM ASSUMES CHARGE AS VICE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1731870 |publisher=PIB}}</ref> He earlier served as the [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Operational Command|Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief]] [[Western Air Command]]<ref name=":2">{{cite web|url=https://www.pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1642858|title= Air Marshal VR Chaudhari AVSM VM Assumes Command of Western Air Command|date=2020-08-01}}</ref> and as the [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of Air Staff]].<ref name="dcas-pib" />


== Early life and education ==
== Early life and education ==
Chaudhari was born to Rambhau Ganapat Chaudhari. His mother was a school headmistress. His grandfather was a teacher at the Zila Parishad school at Koli, a village in Hadgaon taluka.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Online|first=Lokmat|date=22 September 2021|title=नांदेडचे सुपुत्र एअर मार्शल व्ही. आर. चाैधरी हाेणार नवे वायुसेना प्रमुख|trans-title=Air Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, sonnof Nanded going to become new Air chief.|work=[[Lokmat]]|url=https://www.lokmat.com/maharashtra/nandeds-son-v-r-chaidhary-will-be-new-air-chief-marshal-a653/amp/|access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lokmat.com/videos/national/bhumiputra-nanded-be-air-chief-air-marshal-vivek-ram-chaudhari-be-next-iaf-chief-a678/|title=नांदेडचे भूमिपुत्र होणार हवाईदल प्रमुख! Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari to be next IAF Chief|date=24 September 2021}}</ref> He studied in primary school at [[Nanded]]. The family moved to [[Hyderabad]] as his father started a company there. He thus did his schooling from BHEL Higher Secondary School, Ramachandrapuram, Hyderabad.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lokmat.com/videos/national/bhumiputra-nanded-be-air-chief-air-marshal-vivek-ram-chaudhari-be-next-iaf-chief-a678/|title = नांदेडचे भूमिपुत्र होणार हवाईदल प्रमुख! Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari to be next IAF Chief|date = 24 September 2021}}</ref>{{citation needed|date=September 2021}} He subsequently moved to [[Pune]] and enrolled in a military school. He is an alumnus of the [[National Defence Academy]] (61'st Course), the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]] and the [[Defence Services Staff College]], [[Wellington Cantonment|Wellington]] (DSSC).<ref name =Lokmat>https://www.english.lokmat.com/international/air-marshal-vivek-ram-chaudhari-to-be-next-iaf-chief/amp/ {{Bare URL inline|date=April 2022}}</ref>
He was born to Rambhau Ganapat Chaudhari, his mother was a school headmistress. His grandfather was a teacher at the Zila Parishad school at Koli, a village in Hadgaon taluka.<ref>{{Cite news|last=Online|first=Lokmat|date=22 September 2021|title=नांदेडचे सुपुत्र एअर मार्शल व्ही. आर. चाैधरी हाेणार नवे वायुसेना प्रमुख|trans-title=Air Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, sonnof Nanded going to become new Air chief.|work=[[Lokmat]]|url=https://www.lokmat.com/maharashtra/nandeds-son-v-r-chaidhary-will-be-new-air-chief-marshal-a653/|access-date=1 October 2021}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.lokmat.com/videos/national/bhumiputra-nanded-be-air-chief-air-marshal-vivek-ram-chaudhari-be-next-iaf-chief-a678/|title=नांदेडचे भूमिपुत्र होणार हवाईदल प्रमुख! Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari to be next IAF Chief|date=24 September 2021}}</ref> He studied in primary school at [[Nanded]]. He subsequently moved to [[Pune]] and enrolled in a military school. He is an alumnus of the [[National Defence Academy]] (61st Course), the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]] and the [[Defence Services Staff College]], [[Wellington Cantonment|Wellington]] (DSSC).<ref name=":3">https://indianairforce.nic.in/chief-of-the-air-staff/</ref>


==Career==
==Career==


Chaudhari was commissioned in the [[Indian Air Force]] as a fighter pilot on 29 December 1982. He is a Category 'A' [[qualified flying instructor]], and Instrument Rating Instructor and examiner. He has a flying experience of over 3800 hours on various fighter aircraft including [[MiG-21]], [[MiG-23|MiG-23MF]], [[MiG-29]] and [[Su-30MKI]]. He was also a pioneer member of the [[Surya Kiran]] Aerobatic Display Team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/air-marshal-v-r-chaudhari-to-take-over-as-chief-of-iafs-western-air-command/articleshow/77157744.cms|title=Air Marshal V R Chaudhari to take over as chief of IAF's Western Air Command|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=2020-07-25}}</ref> As a fighter pilot, he flew operational missions during [[Operation Meghdoot]] and [[Operation Safed Sagar]].<ref name = IndiaToday>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vivek-ram-chaudhari-indian-air-force-iaf-chief-1859095-2021-09-30|title = Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari takes over as Indian Air Force chief}}</ref>
Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari was commissioned in the [[Indian Air Force]] as a fighter pilot on 29 December 1982 from the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]], Dundigal. During his illustrious career spanning over four decades, he has held various staff and instructional appointments and served in a wide spectrum of terrain. He is a Category 'A' [[qualified flying instructor]], and Instrument Rating Instructor and examiner. He has a flying experience of over 3800 hours on various fighter aircraft including [[MiG-21]], [[MiG-23|MiG-23MF]], [[MiG-29]] and [[Su-30MKI]]. He was also a pioneer member of the [[Surya Kiran]] Aerobatic Display Team.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://economictimes.indiatimes.com/news/defence/air-marshal-v-r-chaudhari-to-take-over-as-chief-of-iafs-western-air-command/articleshow/77157744.cms|title=Air Marshal V R Chaudhari to take over as chief of IAF's Western Air Command|newspaper=The Economic Times|date=2020-07-25}}</ref> As a fighter pilot, he flew operational missions during [[Operation Meghdoot]] and [[Operation Safed Sagar]].<ref name = IndiaToday>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/vivek-ram-chaudhari-indian-air-force-iaf-chief-1859095-2021-09-30|title = Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari takes over as Indian Air Force chief}}</ref> He has commanded the MiG-29 squadron, [[No. 28 Squadron IAF]] at [[Jamnagar]] and the forward base in [[Awantipora]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. He also served as the chief operations officer of the [[Srinagar Air Force Station]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Service Record for Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari 16978 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/16978 |website=Bharat Rakshak |language=en-gb}}</ref>


Chaudhari has commanded the MiG-29 squadron [[No. 28 Squadron IAF]] at [[Jamnagar]] and the forward base in [[Awantipora]] in [[Jammu and Kashmir (state)|Jammu and Kashmir]]. He also served as the chief operations officer of the [[Srinagar Air Force Station]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Service Record for Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari 16978 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/16978 |website=Bharat Rakshak |language=en-gb}}</ref>
===Flag officer===
As an [[air commodore (India)|Air commodore]], he served as the Air assistant to the then [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]], [[Air chief marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[Pradeep Vasant Naik]]. He subsequently commanded the [[Lohegaon Air Force Station|Lohegaon Air base]] in [[Pune]]. He has also served as an instructor at DSSC Wellington as well as Defence Services Command and Staff College at [[Lusaka]], [[Zambia]].<ref name=":3" />


===Flag officer===
After promotion to [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]], he served as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Air Defence) at Air headquarters and as the Deputy Commandant at the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]], Dundigal.<ref name="dcas-pib">{{cite web|date=2018-10-02|title=Air Marshal VR Chaudhari AVSM VM takes over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183889}}</ref> He subsequently was appointed the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Personnel Officers).  On 2 October 2018 he took over as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters, New Delhi.<ref name="dcas-pib" /> A year later, on 1 October 2019 he was appointed as Senior Air Staff Officer of the [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]] in [[Shillong]].<ref>{{cite tweet |number=1179967636622307328 |user=proshillong |title=Air Mshl VR Chaudhari AVSM VM took over as Senior Air Staff Officer at EAC, #Shillong on 03 Oct 19. He is a Cat-A QFI, with over 3800 hrs of flying exp on various fighter aircraft. Prior to this assignment, he was the DCAS at Air HQ. |date=2019-10-03}}</ref>
As an [[air commodore (India)|air commodore]], he served as the Air assistant to the Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal [[Pradeep Vasant Naik]]. He subsequently commanded the [[Lohegaon Air Force Station|Lohegaon air base]] in [[Pune]]. He has served as an instructor at DSSC Wellington as well as Defence Services Command and Staff College at [[Lusaka]], [[Zambia]].


After promotion to [[Air vice marshal (India)|Air Vice Marshal]], Chaudhari served as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Air Defence) at Air headquarters and as the Deputy Commandant at the [[Air Force Academy (India)|Air Force Academy]], Dundigul.<ref name="dcas-pib">{{cite web|date=2018-10-02|title=Air Marshal VR Chaudhari AVSM VM takes over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=183889}}</ref> He subsequently was appointed the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Personnel Officers) and later as Deputy Chief of Air Staff at Air HQ.<ref>{{cite tweet|title=Air Mshl VR Chaudhari AVSM VM took over as Senior Air Staff Officer at EAC, #Shillong on 03 Oct 19. He is a Cat-A QFI,with over 3800 hrs of flying exp on various fighter aircraft. Prior to this assignment,he was the DCAS at Air HQ.|user=proshillong|number=1179967636622307328|date=2019-10-03}}</ref><ref name="saso-spsaviation"/> On 1 October 2019, he was appointed Senior Air Staff Officer of the [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]] in [[Shillong]]. After a short stint, on 1 August 2020, he was appointed [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command]].<ref name=Lokmat/>
On 1 August 2020, he took over as the [[Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command]] succeeding [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Balakrishnan Suresh]].<ref name=":2" /> A year later, on 1 July 2021 he took over as the 45th [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of the Air Staff]] succeeding [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] [[Harjit Singh Arora]] who superannuated from service on 30 June 2021.<ref name=":1" />


===Chief of Air Staff===
===Chief of Air Staff===
On 21 September 2021, the [[Government of India]] appointed Chaudhari as the next [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]] after the retirement of [[Air chief marshal (India)|Air Chief Marshal]] [[R. K. S. Bhadauria|Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria]] on 30 September 2021.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-09-21|title=Air Marshal VR Chaudhari to be appointed IAF's new Chief of Air Staff|url=https://indianexpress.com/article/india/vr-chaudhari-appointed-iaf-new-chief-of-air-staff-7525455/|access-date=2021-09-21|website=The Indian Express|language=en}}</ref>
On 21 September 2021, the [[Government of India]] appointed [[Air marshal (India)|Air Marshal]] Vivek Ram Chaudhari as the next [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of the Air Staff]].<ref name=":0" /> On 30 September 2021, he took over as the 27th Chief of the Air Staff succeeding Air Chief Marshal [[R. K. S. Bhadauria|Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.]]<ref>{{Cite web |title=Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari Takes Charge As New Air Force Chief |url=https://www.ndtv.com/india-news/air-chief-marshal-vivek-ram-chaudhari-takes-charge-as-new-air-force-chief-2559272 |access-date=2024-09-04 |website=NDTV.com}}</ref> He retired on 30 September 2024 after four decades of service and was succeeded by Air Marshal [[Amar Preet Singh]].<ref>{{Citation |title=Amar Preet Singh |date=2024-10-10 |work=Bharatpedia |url=https://en.m.Bharatpedia.org/wiki/Amar_Preet_Singh#cite_note-:2-2 |access-date=2024-10-10 |language=en}}</ref>[[File:CAS VR Chaudhari.jpg|thumb|CAS VR Chaudhari at 91st Air Force Day Parade]]


== Honours and decorations ==
== Honours and decorations ==
During his career, Chaudhari has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2004, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2015 and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021 for his service.<ref name="saso-spsaviation">{{cite web|url=http://www.sps-aviation.com/appointments/?id=24&h=Air-Marshal-VR-Chaudhari-AVSM-VM-takes-over-as-Senior-Air-Staff-Officer-of-Head-Quarters-Eastern-Air-Command|title=Air Marshal VR Chaudhari AVSM VM takes over as Senior Air Staff Officer of Head Quarters Eastern Air Command|date=2019-10-04}}</ref><ref name="avsm">{{cite web|title=President Confers Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards|url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=118733|date=2015-04-26|publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1692363|title= President Shri Ram Nath Kovind approves 455 Gallantry & other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day|publisher=PIB|date=25 January 2021}}</ref>
During his career, he has been awarded the [[Vayu Sena Medal]] in 2004, the [[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]] in 2015 <ref name="avsm">{{cite web |date=2015-04-26 |title=President Confers Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards |url=https://pib.gov.in/newsite/mbErel.aspx?relid=118733 |publisher=Press Information Bureau, Government of India}}</ref> and the [[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]] in 2021<ref>{{cite web |date=25 January 2021 |title=President Shri Ram Nath Kovind approves 455 Gallantry & other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day |url=https://pib.gov.in/PressReleasePage.aspx?PRID=1692363 |publisher=PIB}}</ref> for his service.


{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
{| style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}  
|
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}  
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|width=106|ribbon=Param Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg|type=award-star}}
|{{Ribbon devices|ribbon=Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}}  
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|width=106|type=award-star|ribbon=Ati Vishisht Seva Medal ribbon.svg}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Samanya Seva medal.svg|width=106}}  
|
|-
| colspan="4" |{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=Vayusena Medal ribbon.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Samanya_Seva_medal.svg|width=106}} {{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND_Operation_Vijay_star.svg|width=106}}
|-
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Operation Vijay star.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Siachen Glacier Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Special Service Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Operation Parakram medal.svg |width=106}}  
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Siachen Glacier Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Operation Vijay medal.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Operation Parakram medal.svg|width=106}}
|-
|-
|[[File:IND Operation Vijay medal.svg|105px]]
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Sainya Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND High Altitude Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND Videsh Seva Medal Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=75yearmedal.svg|width=106}}
|-
|-
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|width=106}}  
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 50th Anniversary Independence medal.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 30 Years Long Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}  
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 30 Years Long Service Ribbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}}  
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 20YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}}
|{{Ribbon devices|number=0|type=award-star|ribbon=IND 9YearsServiceMedalRibbon.svg|width=106}}
|}
|}


{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
{| class="wikitable" style="margin:1em auto; text-align:center;"
| colspan="2" |[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
| colspan="2" |[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|-
|-
|[[Param Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|[[Ati Vishisht Seva Medal]]
|[[Vayu Sena Medal]]
|[[Vayu Sena Medal]]
|[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
| colspan="2" |[[Samanya Seva Medal]]
|[[Operation Vijay Star]]
|-
|-
| colspan="1" |[[Operation Vijay Star]]
| colspan="1" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
| colspan="1" |[[Siachen Glacier Medal]]
| colspan="1" |[[Siachen Glacier Medal]]
| colspan="1" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Special Service Medal]]
| colspan="1" |[[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|[[Operation Parakram Medal]]
|[[Operation Parakram Medal]]
|-
|-
|[[Operation Vijay Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Sainya Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|High Altitude Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Videsh Seva Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|Videsh Seva Medal]]
|[[75th Independence Anniversary Medal (India)|75th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|-
|-
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|50th Anniversary of Independence Medal]]
|[[50th Independence Anniversary Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|30 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|30 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
|[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|20 Years Long Service Medal]]
| colspan="2" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
| colspan="2" |[[Indian military decorations#Service and campaign medals|9 Years Long Service Medal]]
|}
|}
== Personal life ==
He is married to Neeta Chaudhari. They have two sons.<ref name="dcas-pib" /> His son Mihir Chaudhary is also an officer in Indian Air Force.<ref>{{Cite web |title=IAF chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari: Ready for any eventuality, focus on being atmanirbhar |url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/iaf-chief-vivek-ram-chaudhari-china-border-fighter-aircraft-atmanirbhar-1859449-2021-10-01}}</ref>


==Dates of rank==
==Dates of rank==
{|class="wikitable" style="background:white"
{|class="wikitable" style="background:white"
! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date of rank
! Insignia !! Rank !! Component !! Date of rank
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-1a.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Pilot Officer]]
|Indian Air Force
|29 December 1982
|-
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Indian IAF OF-1b.svg|64x64px]]|| [[Flying officer|Flying Officer]] || Indian Air Force || 29 December 1983<ref name=dateofrank>{{cite web |title=Service Record of Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/16978 |access-date=11 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
|align="center" |[[File:Indian IAF OF-1b.svg|64x64px]]|| [[Flying officer|Flying Officer]] || Indian Air Force || 29 December 1983<ref name=dateofrank>{{cite web |title=Service Record of Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari |url=http://www.bharat-rakshak.com/IAF/Database/16978 |access-date=11 December 2021 |language=en}}</ref>
|-
| align="center" |[[File:Indian_IAF_OF-2.svg|64x64px]]
|[[Flight Lieutenant]]
|Indian Air Force
|21 December 1987<ref name="dateofrank" />
|-
|-
|align="center" |[[File:Indian IAF OF-3.svg|64x64px]]|| [[Squadron Leader]] || Indian Air Force || 29 December 1993<ref name=dateofrank/>
|align="center" |[[File:Indian IAF OF-3.svg|64x64px]]|| [[Squadron Leader]] || Indian Air Force || 29 December 1993<ref name=dateofrank/>
Line 135: Line 152:
|-
|-
|}
|}
== Personal life ==
He is married to Neeta Chaudhari. They have two sons.<ref name="dcas-pib"/> His son is also in Indian Air Force, he is a Rafale fighter jet pilot.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.indiatoday.in/india/story/iaf-chief-vivek-ram-chaudhari-china-border-fighter-aircraft-atmanirbhar-1859449-2021-10-01|title = IAF chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari: Ready for any eventuality, focus on being atmanirbhar}}</ref>


== References ==
== References ==
{{Reflist|30em}}
{{Reflist}}


{{s-start}}
{{s-start}}
{{s-mil}}{{Succession box
{{s-mil}}{{Succession box
| title = [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]]
| title = [[Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Chief of Air Staff]]
| years = 30 September 2021 - Present
| years = 30 September 2021 - 30 September 2024
| before = [[R. K. S. Bhadauria]]
| before = [[R. K. S. Bhadauria]]
| after = '''Incumbent'''
| after = [[Amar Preet Singh]]
}}{{Succession box
}}{{Succession box
| title = [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Air Staff]]
| title = [[Vice Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Vice Chief of Air Staff]]
| years = 1 July 2021 - 30 September 2021
| years = 1 July 2021 – 30 September 2021
| before = [[Harjit Singh Arora]]
| before = [[Harjit Singh Arora]]
| after = [[Sandeep Singh (air marshal)|Sandeep Singh]]
| after = [[Sandeep Singh (air marshal)|Sandeep Singh]]
}}{{Succession box
}}{{Succession box
| title = Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]]
| title = Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, [[Western Air Command (India)|Western Air Command]]
| years = 1 August 2020 - 30 June 2021
| years = 1 August 2020 – 30 June 2021
| before = [[Balakrishnan Suresh]]
| before = [[Balakrishnan Suresh]]
| after = [[Balabhadra Radha Krishna]]
| after = [[Balabhadra Radha Krishna]]
}}{{Succession box
}}{{Succession box
| title = Senior Air Staff Officer [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]]
| title = Senior Air Staff Officer [[Eastern Air Command (India)|Eastern Air Command]]
| years = 1 October 2019 - 31 July 2020
| years = 1 October 2019 – 31 July 2020
| before = [[Sandeep Singh (IAF)|Sandeep Singh]]
| before = [[Sandeep Singh (IAF)|Sandeep Singh]]
| after = [[Gurcharan Singh Bedi]]
| after = [[Gurcharan Singh Bedi]]
Line 166: Line 180:
{{Succession box
{{Succession box
| title = [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]]
| title = [[Deputy Chief of the Air Staff (India)|Deputy Chief of the Air Staff]]
| years = 1 October 2018 - 30 September 2019
| years = 1 October 2018 – 30 September 2019
| before = [[Raghunath Nambiar]]
| before = [[Raghunath Nambiar]]
| after = [[Sandeep Singh (IAF)|Sandeep Singh]]
| after = [[Sandeep Singh (IAF)|Sandeep Singh]]
}}{{s-end}}
}}
{{s-end}}


{{DEFAULTSORT:Chaudhari, Vivek Ram}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Chaudhari, Vivek Ram}}
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Chiefs of the Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Vice Chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Vice chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:Indian Air Force air marshals]]
[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
[[Category:National Defence Academy (India) alumni]]
Line 181: Line 196:
[[Category:People from Nanded district]]
[[Category:People from Nanded district]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:1962 births]]
[[Category:Defence Services Staff College alumni]]
[[Category:Air Force Academy (India) alumni]]
[[Category:Deputy chiefs of Air Staff (India)]]

Latest revision as of 02:46, 10 November 2025


Air Chief Marshal
Vivek Ram Chaudhari
PVSM AVSM VM ADC
Official portrait
27th Chief of the Air Staff
In office
30 September 2021 (2021-09-30) – 30 September 2024 (2024-09-30)
President
Preceded byR. K. S. Bhadauria
Succeeded byAmar Preet Singh
45th Vice Chief of the Air Staff
In office
1 July 2021 (2021-07-01) – 30 September 2021 (2021-09-30)
Preceded byHarjit Singh Arora
Succeeded bySandeep Singh
Personal details
Born (1962-09-04) 4 September 1962 (age 63)[1]
NationalityIndian
Children2
Parent(s)Rambhau Ganapat Chaudhari (Father)
Military service
Allegiance India
Branch/service Indian Air Force
Years of service29 December 1982 - 30 September 2024
Rank Air Chief Marshal
UnitNo. 28 Squadron
CommandsWestern Air Command
Lohegaon Air Force Station
8 Forward Base Support Unit
No. 28 Squadron
Battles/warsOperation Meghdoot
Kargil war
Service number16978[2]
Awards Param Vishisht Seva Medal
Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vayu Sena Medal

Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari, PVSM AVSM VM ADC is a retired four-star air officer of the Indian Air Force who served as the Chief of the Air Staff.[3] He took over as the 27th Chief of Air Staff succeeding Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria on 30 September 2021.[4] He previously served as the 45th Vice Chief of the Air Staff.[5] He earlier served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command[6] and as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff.[7]

Early life and education[edit | edit source]

He was born to Rambhau Ganapat Chaudhari, his mother was a school headmistress. His grandfather was a teacher at the Zila Parishad school at Koli, a village in Hadgaon taluka.[8][9] He studied in primary school at Nanded. He subsequently moved to Pune and enrolled in a military school. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (61st Course), the Air Force Academy and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington (DSSC).[10]

Career[edit | edit source]

Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari was commissioned in the Indian Air Force as a fighter pilot on 29 December 1982 from the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. During his illustrious career spanning over four decades, he has held various staff and instructional appointments and served in a wide spectrum of terrain. He is a Category 'A' qualified flying instructor, and Instrument Rating Instructor and examiner. He has a flying experience of over 3800 hours on various fighter aircraft including MiG-21, MiG-23MF, MiG-29 and Su-30MKI. He was also a pioneer member of the Surya Kiran Aerobatic Display Team.[11] As a fighter pilot, he flew operational missions during Operation Meghdoot and Operation Safed Sagar.[3] He has commanded the MiG-29 squadron, No. 28 Squadron IAF at Jamnagar and the forward base in Awantipora in Jammu and Kashmir. He also served as the chief operations officer of the Srinagar Air Force Station.[12]

Flag officer[edit | edit source]

As an Air commodore, he served as the Air assistant to the then Chief of Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Pradeep Vasant Naik. He subsequently commanded the Lohegaon Air base in Pune. He has also served as an instructor at DSSC Wellington as well as Defence Services Command and Staff College at Lusaka, Zambia.[10]

After promotion to Air Vice Marshal, he served as the Assistant Chief of Air Staff Operations (Air Defence) at Air headquarters and as the Deputy Commandant at the Air Force Academy, Dundigal.[7] He subsequently was appointed the Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Personnel Officers). On 2 October 2018 he took over as the Deputy Chief of Air Staff at Air Headquarters, New Delhi.[7] A year later, on 1 October 2019 he was appointed as Senior Air Staff Officer of the Eastern Air Command in Shillong.[13]

On 1 August 2020, he took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Air Command succeeding Air Marshal Balakrishnan Suresh.[6] A year later, on 1 July 2021 he took over as the 45th Vice Chief of the Air Staff succeeding Air Marshal Harjit Singh Arora who superannuated from service on 30 June 2021.[5]

Chief of Air Staff[edit | edit source]

On 21 September 2021, the Government of India appointed Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari as the next Chief of the Air Staff.[4] On 30 September 2021, he took over as the 27th Chief of the Air Staff succeeding Air Chief Marshal Rakesh Kumar Singh Bhadauria.[14] He retired on 30 September 2024 after four decades of service and was succeeded by Air Marshal Amar Preet Singh.[15]

CAS VR Chaudhari at 91st Air Force Day Parade

Honours and decorations[edit | edit source]

During his career, he has been awarded the Vayu Sena Medal in 2004, the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2015 [2] and the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021[16] for his service.

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Param Vishisht Seva Medal Ati Vishisht Seva Medal
Vayu Sena Medal Samanya Seva Medal Operation Vijay Star
Special Service Medal Siachen Glacier Medal Operation Vijay Medal Operation Parakram Medal
Sainya Seva Medal High Altitude Service Medal Videsh Seva Medal 75th Anniversary of Independence Medal
50th Independence Anniversary Medal 30 Years Long Service Medal 20 Years Long Service Medal 9 Years Long Service Medal

Personal life[edit | edit source]

He is married to Neeta Chaudhari. They have two sons.[7] His son Mihir Chaudhary is also an officer in Indian Air Force.[17]

Dates of rank[edit | edit source]

Insignia Rank Component Date of rank
Pilot Officer Indian Air Force 29 December 1982
Flying Officer Indian Air Force 29 December 1983[18]
Flight Lieutenant Indian Air Force 21 December 1987[18]
Squadron Leader Indian Air Force 29 December 1993[18]
Wing Commander Indian Air Force 17 May 1999[18]
Group Captain Indian Air Force 1 March 2006[18]
Air Commodore Indian Air Force 1 September 2009[18]
Air Vice Marshal Indian Air Force 1 April 2013[18]
Air Marshal Indian Air Force 1 October 2018 (AOC-in-C from 1 August 2020)[18]
Air Chief Marshal
(CAS)		 Indian Air Force 30 September 2021[19]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. ↑ "CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF". Indian Air Force. 30 September 2021.
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 "President Confers Gallantry and Distinguished Service Awards". Press Information Bureau, Government of India. 26 April 2015.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Air Chief Marshal VR Chaudhari takes over as Indian Air Force chief".
  4. ↑ 4.0 4.1 "Air Marshal V R Chaudhari appointed next Chief of Air Staff". PIB. 21 September 2021.
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 "AIR MARSHAL VIVEK RAM CHAUDHARI PVSM AVSM VM ASSUMES CHARGE AS VICE CHIEF OF THE AIR STAFF". PIB. 1 July 2021.
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 "Air Marshal VR Chaudhari AVSM VM Assumes Command of Western Air Command". 1 August 2020.
  7. ↑ 7.0 7.1 7.2 7.3 "Air Marshal VR Chaudhari AVSM VM takes over as the Deputy Chief of the Air Staff". 2 October 2018.
  8. ↑ Online, Lokmat (22 September 2021). "नांदेडचे सुपुत्र एअर मार्शल व्ही. आर. चाैधरी हाेणार नवे वायुसेना प्रमुख" [Air Marshal V.R. Chaudhari, sonnof Nanded going to become new Air chief.]. Lokmat. Retrieved 1 October 2021.
  9. ↑ "नांदेडचे भूमिपुत्र होणार हवाईदल प्रमुख! Air Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari to be next IAF Chief". 24 September 2021.
  10. ↑ 10.0 10.1 https://indianairforce.nic.in/chief-of-the-air-staff/
  11. ↑ "Air Marshal V R Chaudhari to take over as chief of IAF's Western Air Command". The Economic Times. 25 July 2020.
  12. ↑ "Service Record for Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari 16978 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak.
  13. ↑ @proshillong (3 October 2019). "Air Mshl VR Chaudhari AVSM VM took over as Senior Air Staff Officer at EAC, #Shillong on 03 Oct 19. He is a Cat-A QFI, with over 3800 hrs of flying exp on various fighter aircraft. Prior to this assignment, he was the DCAS at Air HQ" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
  14. ↑ "Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari Takes Charge As New Air Force Chief". NDTV.com. Retrieved 4 September 2024.
  15. ↑ "Amar Preet Singh", Bharatpedia, 10 October 2024, retrieved 10 October 2024
  16. ↑ "President Shri Ram Nath Kovind approves 455 Gallantry & other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day". PIB. 25 January 2021.
  17. ↑ "IAF chief Vivek Ram Chaudhari: Ready for any eventuality, focus on being atmanirbhar".
  18. ↑ 18.0 18.1 18.2 18.3 18.4 18.5 18.6 18.7 "Service Record of Air Chief Marshal Vivek Ram Chaudhari". Retrieved 11 December 2021.
  19. ↑ "Air Chief Marshal Chaudhari Takes Over as the Chief of the Air Staff". Indian Air Force. New Delhi. 30 September 2021.
Military offices
Preceded by
R. K. S. Bhadauria 		Chief of Air Staff
30 September 2021 - 30 September 2024 		Succeeded by
Amar Preet Singh
Preceded by
Harjit Singh Arora 		Vice Chief of Air Staff
1 July 2021 – 30 September 2021 		Succeeded by
Sandeep Singh
Preceded by
Balakrishnan Suresh 		Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Air Command
1 August 2020 – 30 June 2021 		Succeeded by
Balabhadra Radha Krishna
Preceded by
Sandeep Singh 		Senior Air Staff Officer Eastern Air Command
1 October 2019 – 31 July 2020 		Succeeded by
Gurcharan Singh Bedi
Preceded by
Raghunath Nambiar 		Deputy Chief of the Air Staff
1 October 2018 – 30 September 2019 		Succeeded by
Sandeep Singh
Retrieved from "https://en.bharatpedia.org/w/index.php?title=Vivek_Ram_Chaudhari&oldid=447247"
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