The Indian Air Force has appointed Air Marshal Mehtab Singh Deswal, AVSM, VM, as the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of its Eastern Air Command. He formally assumed the responsibility on November 1, 2026, bringing extensive operational and leadership experience to the important command appointment.
Air Marshal Deswal’s military career spans more than 37 years, having entered the Indian Air Force’s flying branch as a fighter pilot on June 14, 1989. Over the course of his service, he has accumulated more than 3,200 hours of flying experience on different fighter aircraft. His professional expertise includes strike operations and air defence, and he is also a qualified Pilot Attack Instructor.
His appointment reflects a career shaped by operational flying responsibilities and senior command assignments. Air Marshal Deswal has previously led two flying bases and served as the Commanding Officer of a fighter squadron. These assignments provided him with experience in managing frontline aviation operations and leading personnel within the Indian Air Force.
Beyond operational responsibilities, he has also undertaken important assignments involving defence representation and organisational management. He served as Air Attaché at the Embassy of India in Pakistan, representing India’s air force interests in a diplomatic environment. At Air Headquarters, he held the position of Director General (Weapon Systems), contributing to the service’s senior-level weapon systems responsibilities.
Immediately before his latest appointment, Air Marshal Deswal was serving as Senior Air Staff Officer at the Headquarters of South Western Air Command. His transition from this position to the leadership of Eastern Air Command marks another significant responsibility in his distinguished military career.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the National Defence College, Air Marshal Deswal has received two prestigious military decorations for his service. These include the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Vayu Sena Medal (VM), recognising his contributions to the Indian Air Force.
His assumption of charge adds an experienced fighter aviation professional to the senior leadership of the IAF. With a background encompassing fighter squadron command, air base leadership, defence diplomacy and weapon systems management, Air Marshal Deswal brings broad institutional experience to his new assignment.