Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar, PVSM, UYSM, AVSM, was an officer in the Indian Air Force. He served as the 48th Vice Chief of the Air Staff from 3 October 2024 to 30 April 2025.[2].
Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar | |
|---|---|
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| 48th Vice Chief of the Air Staff | |
| In office 3 October 2024 – 30 April 2025 | |
| Chief of Air Staff | Amar Preet Singh |
| Preceded by | Amar Preet Singh |
| Succeeded by | Narmdeshwar Tiwari |
| Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief Eastern Air Command | |
| In office 1 October 2022 – 30 September 2024 | |
| Chief of Air Staff | Vivek Ram Chaudhari |
| Preceded by | Dilip Kumar Patnaik |
| Succeeded by | Surat Singh |
| Personal details | |
| Alma mater | Air Force Academy |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  India |
| Branch/service |  Indian Air Force |
| Years of service | 14 June 1985 – 30 April 2025[1] |
| Rank |  Air Marshal |
| Unit | No. 31 Squadron |
| Commands | |
| Service Number | 17841[1] |
| Awards | |
Prior to that, he served as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command,[3] and earlier as the Senior Air Staff Officer of the South Western Air Command, Gandhinagar.[4] He was also the first Director General of the Defence Space Agency in Bengaluru.[5]
Early life and education
editHe is an alumnus of Rashtriya Indian Military College, Dehradun. He then attended the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla and the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. He is also an alumnus Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and USAF Air War College, Montgomery.[6]
Career
editAir Marshal Dharkar was commissioned as a fighter pilot in the Indian Air Force on 14 June 1985 from the Air Force Academy, Dundigal. In a distinguished career spanning over 38 years, he has tenanted various staff and instructional appointments. He has flying experience of over 3,600 hours. He has flown various types of jet fighter and trainer aircraft and has significant experience in ground attack / strike roles, predominantly on the MiG-23 BN & MiG 27 aircraft. He has commanded a front line fighter squadron and a Fighter Flying Training Establishment.[7] He has instructional experience in conducting professional military education for medium and senior level officers at the Defence Services Staff College and was directing staff at the College of Air Warfare, Secunderabad.[8]
As Wing Commander, he has commanded the No. 18 squadron. He then took over as Air Officer Commanding of Air Force Station, Bidar. After being promoted to the rank of Air Vice Marshal, he served as Air Defence Commander at Eastern Air Command, Shillong, Assistant Chief of Air Staff at the Air Headquarters, New Delhi.[9] He was later appointed as the first Director General of the Defence Space Agency.[10]
After being promoted to the rank of Air Marshal, he assumed the appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer of South Western Air Command on 1 November 2021. A year later on 1 October 2022 Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar took over as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Eastern Air Command succeeding Air Marshal Dilip Kumar Patnaik when the latter superannuated from service on 30 September 2022.[11]
On 3 October 2024, Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar took over as the 48th Vice Chief of the Air Staff succeeding Air Chief Marshal Amar Preet Singh upon his elevation as the Chief of Air Staff.[12]
He will superannuate on 30 April, 2025.[13]
Awards and decorations
editThe Air Officer has been awarded with the Param Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023,[14] the Uttam Yudh Seva Medal in 2025[15] and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2014.[16]
 
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Dates of rank
edit| Insignia | Rank | Component | Date of rank |
|---|---|---|---|
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Pilot Officer | Indian Air Force | 14 June 1985[9] |
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Flying Officer | Indian Air Force | 14 June 1986[9] |
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Flight Lieutenant | Indian Air Force | 14 June 1990[9] |
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Squadron Leader | Indian Air Force | 14 June 1996[9] |
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Wing Commander | Indian Air Force | 14 May 2002[9] |
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Group Captain | Indian Air Force | 1 May 2008[9] |
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Air Commodore | Indian Air Force | 01 February 2011[9] |
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Air Vice Marshal | Indian Air Force | 2 January 2017[9] |
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Air Marshal | Indian Air Force | 1 November 2021 (AOC-in-C from 1 July 2022)[9] |
References
edit- ^ a b "Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar". Bharat Rakshak. 2022-12-29.
- ^ "Air Marshal SP Dharkar Assumes Charge As Air Staff's Vice Chief". NDTV.com. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ "S P Dharkar new chief of IAF Eastern Air Command". The Economic Times. 2022-10-01. ISSN 0013-0389. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ "SP Dharkar new chief of IAF Eastern Air Command". India Today. 2022-10-01. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
- ^ "Defence Space Agency will be based at Bengaluru". www.asianage.com. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ "Air Marshal SP Dharkar". Indian Air Force.
- ^ "Eastern Air Command - IAF". Indian Air Force. 2022-12-29. Archived from the original on 2022-12-29.
- ^ "Air Marshal SP Dharkar to be the next IAF Vice Chief". ANI News. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ a b c d e f g h i j "Service Record for Air Marshal Sujeet Pushpakar Dharkar 17841 F(P) at Bharat Rakshak.com". Bharat Rakshak. Retrieved 2024-09-27.
- ^ "Defence Space Agency will be based at Bengaluru". Deccan Chronicle. 2019-05-15. Retrieved 2022-12-29.
- ^ "Air Marshal Dharkar is the new Eastern Air Commander". Asian Age. 2022-10-01.
- ^ "Air Marshal SP Dharkar Assumes Charge As Vice Chief Of Air Staff". Times Now. 2024-10-03. Retrieved 2024-10-08.
- ^ "Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari Likely to be Next Vice-Chief of Indian Air Force". Times Now. 2025-04-19.
- ^ "President approves 412 Gallantry awards and other defence decorations to Armed Forces personnel on Republic Day" (Press release). PIB. 2023-01-25.
- ^ "President approves Gallantry awards to 93 Armed Forces personnel, including 11 posthumous & 305 defence decorations on the eve of Republic Day 2025". pib.gov.in. Retrieved 25 January 2025.
- ^ "368 Republic Day Gallantry and Other Defence Decorations Announced". archive.pib.gov.in. Retrieved 2024-09-27.