Air Marshal P.V. Shivanand Visits Lok Bhavan
Air Marshal P.V. Shivanand Meets Gujarat Leadership After Taking Charge of South Western Air Command
Air Marshal P.V. Shivanand, AVSM, VM, who recently assumed charge as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Indian Air Force’s South Western Air Command, paid a courtesy visit to Lok Bhavan in Gandhinagar. He was accompanied by his wife, Mrs Phani Shivanand, President of the Air Force Wives Welfare Association (Regional), during the meeting with the Gujarat leadership.
The visit came days after Air Marshal Shivanand took over command of the South Western Air Command on 1 July 2026. Headquartered in Gandhinagar, the command is one of the Indian Air Force’s seven operational commands. It is responsible for protecting India’s western airspace and plays an important role in coordinating air defence, surveillance and operational readiness across a strategically important region.
गांधीनगर स्थित लोकभवन में साउथ वेस्टर्न एयर कमांड के नवनियुक्त एयर ऑफिसर कमांडिंग-इन-चीफ, ए.वी.एस.एम., वी.एम., एयर मार्शल श्री पी.वी. शिवानंद जी ने शिष्टाचार मुलाकात की। इस अवसर पर उनके साथ एयरफोर्स वाइव्स वेलफेयर एसोसिएशन (क्षेत्रीय) की अध्यक्षा श्रीमती फानी शिवानंद जी भी… pic.twitter.com/07iovVspXv
— Acharya Devvrat (@ADevvrat) July 6, 2026
During the meeting at Lok Bhavan, the newly appointed commander was congratulated on assuming one of the Indian Air Force’s senior operational appointments. Mrs Phani Shivanand also shared details of the welfare programmes carried out by the Air Force Wives Welfare Association. The organisation works to support serving personnel, veterans and their families through education, healthcare, skill development and community welfare initiatives. Over the years, the association has expanded its activities to improve the quality of life of Air Force families stationed across the country.
Air Marshal Shivanand brings more than three decades of operational and administrative experience to his new role. Commissioned into the fighter stream of the Indian Air Force in December 1988, he has built a career that includes flying, command, staff and diplomatic assignments. He has accumulated more than 2,800 flying hours on the MiG 21 fighter aircraft and the IL 76 Airborne Warning and Control System platform, reflecting extensive operational experience in different roles.
His professional journey includes command of two frontline fighter squadrons and a major air base in eastern India. He also served as Defence and Air Attaché at the Embassy of India in Washington DC, with concurrent accreditation to Canada. Such appointments involve strengthening military cooperation, defence diplomacy and strategic engagement with partner countries.
Within the Indian Air Force headquarters and operational commands, Air Marshal Shivanand has handled responsibilities related to air operations, air defence, airborne sensors and networked warfare. Defence officials have credited him with helping introduce key operational capabilities and supporting projects that improved surveillance systems and strengthened India’s integrated air defence network. Before taking charge of the South Western Air Command, he served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at Headquarters Central Air Command.
His service has been recognised with some of the Indian Air Force’s distinguished honours. He received the Vayu Sena Medal in 2014 for professional excellence and was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2025 for distinguished service of an exceptional order. These decorations are presented by the President of India to recognise outstanding contributions by members of the armed forces.
The leadership transition comes at a time when the Indian Air Force continues to strengthen its operational preparedness through modern aircraft, advanced surveillance systems and improved network-centric capabilities. South Western Air Command has a key responsibility in securing India’s western frontier, supporting air defence operations and maintaining readiness during peacetime as well as emergencies. The command also works closely with other branches of the armed forces during joint military operations and humanitarian assistance missions.
Air Marshal Shivanand succeeded Air Marshal Tejinder Singh, PVSM, AVSM, VM, who has taken over as Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee. Such leadership changes are part of the Indian Armed Forces’ established succession process and are intended to ensure continuity in operational planning and command.
While the meeting at Lok Bhavan was ceremonial in nature, it reflected the close coordination between civil administration and the armed forces in Gujarat. The presence of Mrs Phani Shivanand also drew attention to the contribution of welfare organisations that support military families, particularly in areas such as education, healthcare, counselling and social development.
As Air Marshal P.V. Shivanand begins his tenure, he assumes responsibility for one of the country’s most important operational air commands. His long experience in fighter operations, strategic planning and defence diplomacy is expected to guide the command as the Indian Air Force continues to strengthen its preparedness in an increasingly complex regional security environment.