New Delhi. The government will soon start the appointment process to fill the post of Chief of Defense Staff (CDS) which became vacant after the death of General Bipin Rawat in a helicopter crash. The name of Army Chief General MM Narwane is running for the post. Many retired military commanders have also said that the appointment of General Narwane, who is retiring in April, would be a wise move. Find out the equations that are being formed, the process of appointment for this post …
People familiar with the matter said on Thursday that the government would form a panel of senior commanders of the Army, Air Force and Navy. This panel will be finalized in the next two-three days based on the recommendations of the three armies. It will then be sent to Defense Minister Rajnath Singh for approval. After their approval, these names will be sent to the Cabinet Committee on Appointments for consideration which will take final decision on the next CDS of the country.
According to sources, the government will follow the same protocol in the appointment of CDS as for the appointment of the chiefs of the three armies. The CDS is the chairman of the powerful Chief of Staff Committee (COSC), which includes the three army chiefs. The appointment of General Narwane as CDS is likely to be based on overall performance, including tackling the stalemate in Ladakh. In addition, he is the most senior of the three army chiefs.
General Narwane took over the post from General Rawat on December 31, 2019. While Chief of Air Staff Air Chief Marshal VR Chowdhury and Chief of Naval Staff Admiral R. Hari Kumar took over the post on September 30 and November 30 this year respectively. At the same time, an influential section of military planners has been of the view that the CDS should be from the Army itself, at least until the construction process of theater commands under ambitious defense reforms is completed.
It is noteworthy that the tenure of General Rawat as CDS was till March, 2023. The retirement age of CDS is 65 years while the tenure of Army Chiefs is up to the age of 62 years or for three years (whichever is earlier).
If General Narwane is appointed CDS then the government will have to fill his place at the same time. In such a situation, Deputy Chief of Army Staff Lieutenant General CP Mohanty and Commander of the Northern Command Lieutenant General YK Joshi will be at the forefront of the race for the post of Army Chief. Both the officers belong to the same batch and are senior after General Narwane. However, Lieutenant General Mohanty has a long experience of working on the Line of Actual Control (LAC) so General Narwane is more likely to become Army Chief if he becomes CDS.
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