**Ministry of Defence Announcement: Assumption of Command by Air Marshal PV Shivanand**
On July 1, 2026, Air Marshal PV Shivanand AVSM VM officially assumed the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the South Western Air Command (SWAC). Upon taking command, he paid tribute to fallen soldiers at the South Western Air Command War Memorial.
**Professional Profile and Career Milestones**
Air Marshal Shivanand was commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1988. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, the Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment, and the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington. Over his career, he has recorded a cumulative flying experience of more than 2,800 hours, specifically on the MiG-21 and the IL-76 AWACS.
**Key Appointments and Specializations**
The Air Marshal has held a variety of significant Command and Staff positions, including:
* **Diplomatic Service:** Served as the Defence and Air Attaché at the Embassy of India in Washington DC, USA, with concurrent accreditation to Canada.
* **Field Command:** Commanded two frontline IAF Squadrons and a premier airbase located in the Eastern Sector.
* **Staff Roles:** Held key appointments at HQ SWAC and Air HQ, with expertise in Air Operations, Air Defence, and Airborne Sensors and Networking.
* **Operational Achievements:** He is credited with spearheading the operationalization of critical platforms and several Air Defence initiatives aimed at enhancing surveillance and integrated Air Defence architecture.
**Succession and Previous Role**
Immediately prior to his current appointment, Air Marshal Shivanand served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command. He succeeds Air Marshal Tejinder Singh PVSM AVSM VM, who transitioned on July 1, 2026, to serve as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), HQ Integrated Defence Staff.
**Administrative Data**
* **Release Date:** 01 July 2026, 8:33 PM
* **Origin:** PIB Delhi
* **Release ID:** 2280104
* **Visitor Count:** 6459
Key Entities Referenced
Air Marshal PV Shivanand: The senior officer who assumed the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command.
South Western Air Command: The operational command of the Indian Air Force where the new Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief has taken charge.
Ministry of Defence: The primary government ministry responsible for the administration and oversight of the Indian Armed Forces.
Air Marshal Tejinder Singh: The outgoing commander of South Western Air Command who was appointed as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee.
Ministry of Defence
AIR MARSHAL PV SHIVANAND TAKING OVER
COMMAND OF SOUTH WESTERN AIR
COMMAND
प्रव तथ: 01 JUL 2026 8:33PM by PIB Delhi
Air Marshal PV Shivanand AVSM VM, assumed the appointment of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief,
South Western Air Command on 01 July 2026. On assumption of his appointment, the Air Marshal paid
homage to the Bravehearts at the South Western Air Command War memorial. He was commissioned into
the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1988. He is an alumnus of the National Defence
Academy, Tactics and Air Combat Development Establishment and Defence Services Staff College,
Wellington. The Air Marshal has a cumulative flying experience of over 2800 hours on MiG-21 and the
IL-76 AWACS.
In his illustrious service career, the Air Marshal has held several Command and Staff appointments
including a diplomatic appointment as the Defence and Air Attaché at the Embassy of India in Washington
DC, USA with concurrent accreditation to Canada. He has commanded two frontline Squadrons of the
IAF and a premier airbase in the Eastern Sector. He has also undertaken key staff appointments at HQ
SWAC and Air HQ specialising in the domain of Air Operations, Air Defence and Airborne Sensors and
Networking.
During his career, the Air Marshal has spearheaded the operationalisation of key platforms and several Air
Defence initiatives, significantly enhancing surveillance capabilities and an integrated Air Defence
architecture. Prior to taking charge of South Western Air Command, the Air Marshal was holding the
appointment of Senior Air Staff Officer, Headquarters Central Air Command
Air Marshal PV Shivanand succeeds Air Marshal Tejinder Singh PVSM AVSM VM, who has been
appointed as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee (CISC), HQ
Integrated Defence Staff, on 01 July 2026.***
HT/VK/GK
(रलीज़ आईडी: 2280104) आगंतुक पटल : 350
इस वज्ञ को इन भाषाओ ंम पढ़: Urdu , Gujarati