Air Marshal Rakesh Kumar Bhadauria on Monday took charge as the new Chief of the Indian Air Force (IAF) as Air Chief Marshal BS Dhano ademitted office.

RKS Bhadauria is the 26th Chief of the Air Staff.

RKS Bhadauria was commissioned into the Fighter Stream ofIndian Air Force in June 1980 and has held various Command, Staff andInstructional appointments at various levels including the present one as ViceChief of Air Staff.

RKS Bhadauria is the man behind Rafale negotiation deal. Hewas heading contract negotiations with France for the Rafale fighter jetacquisition during his tenure as Deputy Chief of Air Staff. RKS Bhadaurialooked after complex negotiations of the Rafale deal overcoming significanthurdles and finally ensuring the signing of the deal in September 2016. It is dueto RKS Bhadauria's role that the first tail number of Rafale is RB008. Thefirst lot of the 36 fighters ordered for the Indian Air Force are scheduled tobe delivered in October, 2019. During his illustrious career, Air Marshal RKSBhadauria was commended by the Chief of Air Staff in 1987 and has been awardedVayu Sena Medal in 2002, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2013, Param Vishisht SevaMedal in 2018 and appointed as Honorary Air Force ADC to the President ofIndia.