Indian Army Chief General Naravane Likely To Be India's Next Chief Of Defence Staff: Report

With the untimely demise of General Rawat, the government is likely to soon announce his succcessor for the position of the Chief of Defence Staff.

Army Chief General Naravane is being considered the frontrunner for the post as Navy chief Admiral R Hari Kumar and Air Chief Marshal V R Chaudhari have recently took over the charges of their respective forces, reports Economic Times.

Air Marshal Chaudhari took charge on 30 September and Admiral Hari Kumar on 30 November.

The Cabinet Committee on Security headed by PM Modi met on Wednesday (8 December) to pay tributes to CDS General Rawat and 12 other people who were killed in the military helicopter crash in Tamil Nadu earlier in the day.

However, it is not clear whether the appointment of next CDS was discussed in the meeting or not as there was no official word on the meet.

As per the new military rules, a CDS can serve till the age of 65. The three Service chiefs have a tenure till 62 or for three years, whichever is earlier. General Naravane is slated to retire in April next year.

Among the challenges before the next CDS will be the integration of the Army, Navy and Airforce into theatre commands as well as ensuring synergy among the tri-services with regards to planning, logistics, procurements, training and doctrines. The new CDS will also have to deal with the onoging border issues with China.

General Rawat's untimely demise means the succeeding CDS will have to take up that mantle. General Rawat along with being the first CDS of India also served as the secretary to the newly created department of military affairs in the defence ministry and the permanent chairman of the chiefs of staff committee.