On June 1, 2025, Air Marshal Manish Khanna assumed the position of Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief (AOC-in-C) of the Southern Air Command (SAC) of the Indian Air Force (IAF), taking over from Air Marshal Balakrishnan Manikantan, who currently commands the Central Air Command. This change in leadership occurs at a pivotal moment when India’s air defense strategy in the southern region and maritime domain awareness are of heightened importance, given the increasing tensions and evolving threats in the Indian Ocean Region (IOR).
Air Marshal Khanna boasts a distinguished educational foundation from some of India’s premier military institutions. He is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy (NDA) and has completed several advanced military leadership courses at the Defence Services Staff College (DSSC) and the College of Air Warfare. He also holds an elite ‘A’ Category Instructor rating, which speaks to his exceptional training and instructional capabilities.
Commissioned into the IAF’s Flying Branch on December 6, 1986, Khanna brings over 4,000 hours of accident-free flight experience across aircraft platforms such as the MiG-21, MiG-25, Mirage-2000, F-5, Kiran, and HPT-32. His extensive leadership and operational background include key roles as the Commanding Officer of No. 35 Squadron, recognized for electronic warfare and reconnaissance missions, as well as senior roles at Air Headquarters in fields such as Intelligence, Personnel Planning, and Air Defence Operations. He has commanded major airbases, including AFS Bidar and strategic locations within the Western Air Command. Prior to his current role, he served as the Senior Air Staff Officer at South Western Air Command.
Air Marshal Khanna’s service has been recognized through several prestigious awards, including the Vayu Sena Medal (VSM) in 2010, acknowledging his unwavering dedication to duty and operational excellence, followed by the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) in 2016, awarded for his distinguished service of an exceptional order. These honors reflect his commitment to advancing India’s air defense capabilities.
Khanna is noted for his visionary leadership, defined by innovation, professionalism, and integrated defense thinking. His priorities as the AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command involve modernizing coastal and maritime air defense systems, enhancing joint operations with the Indian Navy and Army, and integrating drones and UAVs for better surveillance and rapid response. Additionally, he aims to upgrade airbases across South India and island territories, particularly for disaster relief and amphibious operations, while also pioneering digital transformations in pilot training and aircrew assessments.
Established in 1984 and headquartered in Thiruvananthapuram, Kerala, the Southern Air Command plays a crucial strategic role in India’s defense architecture. It encompasses a vast area of responsibility that includes peninsular India, the Andaman and Nicobar Islands, and the Lakshadweep Islands. Its primary functions involve securing the Indian Ocean Region, conducting maritime reconnaissance and surveillance, providing humanitarian assistance and disaster response, as well as supporting India’s strategic goals in the Indo-Pacific.
Beyond his military duties, Air Marshal Khanna is dedicated to mentoring young officers and pilots, fostering digital transformation in training frameworks, and contributing to veteran welfare and institutional reforms. His commitment continues to resonate within military circles, inspiring a new generation of air warriors and reinforcing the IAF’s core values of integrity, excellence, and service.
As the AOC-in-C of Southern Air Command, Air Marshal Manish Khanna plays an integral role in safeguarding India’s southern airspace and maritime frontiers. With over three decades of operational excellence and a commitment to technological innovation, he is poised to significantly influence the trajectory of India’s aerial defense in the evolving Indo-Pacific context. Under his leadership, SAC is positioned not merely as a regional military force but as a fundamental pillar in India’s national security framework.
