Lieutenant General Manoj Pande took over as India’s new Chief of Army Staff on Saturday, succeeding General MM Naravane. General Pande previously served as the army’s vice chief, a position he took in February after Lieutenant General CP Mohanty retired after serving his term.
He is the first officer from the Corps of Engineers, also known as the’sappers,’ to command the Indian Army. Officers from the’sappers’ have held positions as commanders and vice chiefs of staff, but never as army chiefs of staff.
He will be the 29th army chief for more than two years, having been born on May 6, 1962. Service chiefs are appointed for three years or until they reach the age of 62, whichever comes first.
He will take command of one of the world’s largest armies at a time when India is grappling with multiple challenges on its borders, including the ongoing standoff with China, and is attempting to maximise resources and contributions from the three services – Army, Air Force, and Navy – in order to fight future wars and operations.
His appointment comes as the Narendra Modi government works to indigenize military hardware, a topic that will be particularly difficult to address in light of Russia’s ongoing war in Ukraine.
Two-thirds of India’s military equipment is of Soviet or Russian origin, putting the country’s military preparedness squarely in the crosshairs.
