Air Vice Marshal Anil Golani (Retd.) is a decorated veteran of the Indian Air Force with a career spanning over 37 years. Commissioned into the fighter stream in December 1982, he has logged more than 3,000 flight hours, including over 1,000 instructional hours on aircraft such as the Ajeet and Jaguar

He notably raised and commanded India’s first Harpy (Pechora III) squadron, and held key operational and instructional leadership roles—commanding an Air Defence Direction Centre, an air station (Gorakhpur), and serving as Chief Instructor (Air) at the Defence Services Staff College

He also made history by serving at senior ranks within both Joint Services Commands: as Air Force Component Commander of Andaman & Nicobar Command, and Chief Staff Officer (Air Vector) at Strategic Forces Command

A scholar of strategy, Golani attended the Staff Course, Higher Air Command Course, and a year-long programme at the Royal College of Defence Studies (London). Post-retirement in November 2019, he joined the Centre for Air Power Studies (CAPS)—first as Additional Director General in May 2021, later becoming Director General in April 2024. He has co-edited prominent defence volumes including Air Power and Emerging Technologies (2022) and Indian Air Force in its Centennial Decade (2023)

Today, AVM Golani is a recognized voice in national security discourse—lecturing widely on air power, emerging technologies, and joint force integration, and contributing to journals, podcasts, and high-level defence conferences .