Air Marshal Ajit Bhavnani was on Thursday appointed as the new Vice Chief of Air Staff, a key operational post, which was lying vacant for the past 18 days.

Bhavnani, who is currently Commander-in-Chief of the Strategic Forces Command will take charge with effect from August 22, according to an official announcement in Delhi.
    
He succeeds Air Marshal S K Malik, who retired on July 31.

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The Air Force, however, is yet to fill the key post of Deputy Chief of Air Staff. No announcement has been made as to who will take over the Strategic Forces Command.

The Strategic Forces Command controls the country's strategic weapons like missile and nuclear warheads.