Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy will take over as the next Chief of Air Staff on December 31 this year on promotion to the rank of Air Chief Marshal. He will succeed Air Chief Marshal AY Tipnis who will proceed on superannuation after 40 years of distinguished service.

Air Marshal Srinivasapuram Krishnaswamy was commi-ssioned in the Indian Air Force in 1961. He has been operational on a number of combat aircraft including Mirage 2000. He flew Gnat during 1965 war and was awarded Mention-in-Despatches for his contribution. Subsequently, he was sent to UK to attend test pilots course. On his return, he joined the Air Force Flight Test Centre - Aircraft and System Training Establishment (ASTE).

Air Marshal Krishnaswamy,as a test pilot, was involved in flight-testing and evaluation of military as well as civil aircraft and weapon systems. For his outstanding contribution in indigenous development programme he received "Agni Award for Self Reliance" in 1999.

The Air Marshal has more than 4000 hours of flying experience and has captained over 30 varieties of aircraft and helicopters. He was also trained as a fighter combat leader and served as senior instructional staff at Tactics and Combat Development and Training Establishment (TACDE). He specialised in electronic warfare (EW) and had the unique distinction of having raised and commanded the first EW squadron of the Indian Air Force, comprising a mix of MiG - 21 and Canberra aircraft.

The Air Marshal has held a variety of operational and staff appointments during his career. Besides the command of a squadron, he did a tenure as Chief Operations Officer of a Mirage - 2000 base and commanded Air Force Station, Pune. In senior appointments, he has served as Assistant Chief of Air Staff (Plans), Deputy Chief of the Air Staff and Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of three operational commands viz Central, South Western and Western Air Command. He took over as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff in August this year.

A graduate of Defence Services Staff College, the Air Marshal is an alumnus of the National Defence College. Air Marshal S Krishnaswamy is a recipient of Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and a Bar to Vayu Sena Medal.