Arup Raha takes over as IAF chief

Air Marshal Arup Raha, an ace fighter pilot, on Tuesday took over as the Air Force chief succeeding Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne.

Born on December 26, 1954, he is expected to have tenure of three years as the Chief of Air Staff.

Commissioned on December 14, 1974 in the fighter stream of the IAF, Raha has held various command, staff and instructional appointments in his 39-year-old career.

He has also served as Air Attaché at the Embassy of India in Ukraine.

Raha has served as Directing Staff at Flying Instructors School, Tambaram, Chennai as well as at the Gwalior-based Tactics and Combat Development Establishment of the IAF.