Army Chief General Manoj Pande said on Sunday that the geopolitical situation is rapidly changing and that there are several challenges ahead of us. He said his top priority would be to maintain high operational readiness at all times while also advancing modernization with a focus on indigenization.
After observing a Guard of Honour on the lawns of South Block, Army Chief Gen. Pande informed journalists, “Our first focus would be to establish very high levels of operational preparedness to address current, contemporary, and future threats across the spectrum of warfare.” On Friday, Gen. Pande became the 29th Army Chief.
“Effort would be to exploit new technologies through indigenization and self-reliance,” the Army Chief said of force modernization, in addition to focusing on existing Army reforms, reorganization, and transformation to improve operational and functional efficiency.
“The Army has also aided in the development of the country. “I want to reassure you that the Indian Army is entirely devoted to the values of liberty, equality, and freedom,” he said.
The Guard of Honour also included chiefs of other services, including Air Force Chief Air Chief Marshal V.R. Chaudhari and Navy Chief Admiral R. Hari Kumar. The three Chiefs are classmates from the National Defence Academy’s 61st course.
Army Chief: Collaboration and synergy within three services
When asked about the relevance of the other Chiefs’ participation, Gen. Pande said he knew them well and that it was a good start for synergy, cooperation, and joint manship among the three Services, promising that they would work together and advance the cause of national security and defense.
“Three of us have trained together since we were children. Not only that, but as we progressed in our careers, we had more opportunities to collaborate. “We are lucky that we have this opportunity and chance to work together once again,” stated Gen. Pande.
Gen. Pande took over at a time when the standoff with China along the Line of Actual Control (LAC) in eastern Ladakh is still ongoing, while the crisis in Ukraine and tensions between Russia and the West have added new obstacles, including continual support and upkeep for the Indian armed forces.
Lt. Gen. B.S. Raju took over as Vice-Chief of the Army Staff on Sunday. As a result, the Army will have a Corps of Engineers Chief and an Infantry Vice Chief.
In December 1982, Gen. Pande was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers). In December 1984, Lt. Gen. Raju was commissioned into the JAT Regiment.