The Ministry of Defence has announced that Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb has taken charge as Air Officer-in-Charge Maintenance of the Indian Air Force, effective 1 September 2026. This is a senior operational role within the IAF responsible for overseeing maintenance and engineering functions across the service. Air Marshal Sanjeeb replaces Air Marshal Sanjiv Ghuratia, who retired after 39 years of service.
About Air Marshal KAA Sanjeeb
Air Marshal Sanjeeb was commissioned into the IAF on 3 September 1988 in the Aeronautical Engineering (Mechanical Branch). Over his career spanning more than three decades, he has accumulated significant technical expertise in military aircraft operations and maintenance.
His key professional achievements include:
- Extensive operational experience with IL-76, Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS), and Boeing 737-200 aircraft
- Served as Lead Engineer and Team leader for the Air HQ Project Management Team that inducted the first IL-78 Flight Refueller Aircraft into the IAF in 2003
- Played a pioneering role in inducting and operationalising the AWACS fleet within the IAF
Before his current appointment, Air Marshal Sanjeeb held several senior positions at Air Headquarters, including Director General (Aircraft), Director General (System), and Assistant Chief of the Air Staff (Maintenance Plans).
He is a graduate of the Bangladesh Flight Safety Institute and the Indian Institute of Public Administration. For his service and commitment, he has been awarded the Vishisht Seva Medal (VSM) in 2015 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2026.
What this means for you
This appointment ensures experienced leadership overseeing the technical upkeep of India’s military aircraft fleet. Air Marshal Sanjeeb’s background in aircraft maintenance and induction of advanced systems suggests continued focus on modernising the IAF’s operational capability. His previous roles managing major projects indicate an ability to handle complex procurement and integration programmes for defence equipment.