Prior to taking over as the vice-chief in February, he was General Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Northern Command which looks after the borders with both Pakistan and China.
The Army was clearly unprepared for this extension, till recently events were continuing as though COAS was to retire as per schedule. He was even felicitated for nearing the milestone.
With Modi govt granting a one-month extension to Gen Manoj Pande, others whose names were sent to the Cabinet Committee on Appointments are strong contenders now.
Army is pursuing 45 niche technologies identified for military application & 120 indigenous projects are underway to develop & absorb these niche technologies, Gen Pande says.
It also plans to introduce Army Design Bureau (ADB) cells at command level to 'upscale' innovation potential of ADB, whose mandate is to modernise & indigenously develop army equipment
China and Bhutan have agreed to fast-track talks over delimitation and demarcation of the border besides establishing diplomatic ties, which will have strategic implications for India
IAF is firming up plans to revamp airlift capabilities with medium transport aircraft that will be assembled in India & serve as its main workhorse. Embraer is leading contender as of now.
This is the game every nation is now learning to play. Some are finding new allies or seeing value among nations where they’d seen marginal interest. The starkest example is India & Europe.
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