Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar Retired as Scheduled; No Evidence of Removal Over Alleged Rafale Incident

Multiple pro-Pakistan social media accounts have circulated the false claim that Deputy Air Marshal (Vice Chief of Air Staff) Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar was removed (“sacked”) by India after Indian Rafale jets were allegedly “locked” by Pakistani aircraft during recent tensions.

Another user was found sharing the claim, which can be viewed here.

Fact Check

Upon investigation, DFRAC found the claim to be misleading. According to media reports from India Today, May 2, 2023, reported that Air Marshal Narmdeshwar Tiwari, currently serving as the Air Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Air Command, is set to take charge as the new Vice Chief of the Air Staff on Friday.

On the day of his superannuation, Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar was given a guard of honour at the Air Headquarters, Vayu Bhawan. He also paid tribute to the fallen heroes at the National War Memorial in Delhi.

Also, we found a press release by the Press Information Bureau (PIB) which informed that Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar retired as Vice Chief of the Air Staff on 30 April 2025, on superannuation from the Indian Air Force (IAF), after completing 40 years of illustrious service to the nation.

Air Marshal Dharkar was commissioned on 14 June 1985 as a Flying Pilot in the fighter stream of IAF and flew more than 3600 hours on different aircraft of the IAF. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor, Fighter Strike Leader and an Instrument Rating Instructor and Examiner. He is an alumnus of National Defence Academy, Defence Services Staff College, India and Army War College, USA.

Conclusion

The claim that India “removed” or “sacked” Air Marshal S.P. Dharkar following Rafale jets being “locked” by Pakistani aircraft is false. He retired on April 30, 2025, after 40 years of service, with all customary honours.