A seasoned fighter pilot and strategic military thinker, Group Captain Ajay Ahlawat (Retd.) brings over 25 years of distinguished service in the military (Indian Air Force) and civil aviation. Commissioned into the Indian Air Force (IAF) in Dec 1996, after graduating from the National Defence Academy (NDA), he has operated high-performance fighter jets, besides handling various command and staff appointments. He has extensive experience in aerospace operations, force application in support of national security, and planning of complex operations.
He is a qualified civil aviation pilot as well and holds type ratings on the Boeing 737, Airbus A320, and Gulfstream G-200. His military tenure was defined by key leadership roles such as Commanding Officer of the IAF Hawk training squadron and Operations staff at HQ Western Air Command. He was nominated for various international courses by the IAF, including- Qualified Flying Instructor with the Royal Air Force (UK), Advanced Air Power specialization with RAAF (Australia) and Air Staff course at the Air University (Maxwell AFB, USA). With a Master’s degree in Operational Art and Science, he has contributed to doctrinal development, joint warfare planning, and strategic policy formulation within the IAF. His academic and operational exposure in the USA, UK, and Australia reflects a deep engagement with traditional and emerging military thought with a global military perspective and thought leadership.
Beyond the cockpit, he served as a subject matter expert in air warfare and strategy, helping shape the IAF war fighting doctrine. Since transitioning from active service, he continues contributing as a defence expert and commentator on strategic affairs, frequently appearing in media and publishing insights on regional security, air power, space based applications and military modernization. In the post-retirement career, he has accrued a wide-ranging experience from multiple sectors. Besides operating as a pilot, he has held leadership roles in aviation including Chief of Flight Safety and VP operations. He also served as Chief Operating Officer of a Web3 tech firm, demonstrating his adaptability and understanding of emerging technologies.
Respected for his integrity, clarity of thought, and strategic insights, he exemplifies the qualities of a battle-tested officer with the foresight to navigate complex security and operational environments. His cross-domain expertise positions him as a trusted voice in defence analysis and aviation circles.
