<p>Air Marshal Arup Raha, an ace fighter pilot, today took over as the Air Force chief succeeding Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Raha takes over the command of the force at a time when it is engaged in a tussle with its largest supplier Hindustan Aeronautics Limited over the issue of indigenous and foreigner trainer aircraft.<br /><br />The IAF is also engaged in intense negotiations for the procurement of 126 Rafale multi-role combat aircraft from the French firm Dassault Aviation.<br /><br />Born on December 26, 1954, 59 year-old Raha is expected to have a tenure of three years as the Chief of Air Staff.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />He has also served as Air Attache at the Embassy of India in Ukraine.<br /><br />Besides various technical courses, Raha has done Strategic Nuclear Orientation Course and Junior Commanders' course. He has commanded Central Air Command and Western Air Command.<br /><br />Raha has served as Directing Staff at Flying Instructors School, Tambaram (Tamil Nadu) as well as at the Gwalior-based Tactics and Combat Development Establishment of the IAF. </p>
<p>Air Marshal Arup Raha, an ace fighter pilot, today took over as the Air Force chief succeeding Air Chief Marshal NAK Browne.<br /><br /></p>.<p>Raha takes over the command of the force at a time when it is engaged in a tussle with its largest supplier Hindustan Aeronautics Limited over the issue of indigenous and foreigner trainer aircraft.<br /><br />The IAF is also engaged in intense negotiations for the procurement of 126 Rafale multi-role combat aircraft from the French firm Dassault Aviation.<br /><br />Born on December 26, 1954, 59 year-old Raha is expected to have a tenure of three years as the Chief of Air Staff.<br /><br />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.<br /><br />He has also served as Air Attache at the Embassy of India in Ukraine.<br /><br />Besides various technical courses, Raha has done Strategic Nuclear Orientation Course and Junior Commanders' course. He has commanded Central Air Command and Western Air Command.<br /><br />Raha has served as Directing Staff at Flying Instructors School, Tambaram (Tamil Nadu) as well as at the Gwalior-based Tactics and Combat Development Establishment of the IAF. </p>