The Government today announced that Air Marshal Arup Raha, an ace fighter pilot, will take over as the next Air Force chief after Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne retires on December 31 .

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 Attache at the Embassy of India in Ukraine and commanded Central Air Command and Western Air Command.

59 year-old Raha is expected to have a tenure of three years as Chief of Air Staff.