General Bipin Rawat and ACM BS Dhanoa takes over as Army & Air Force Chief respectively while Gen DS Suhag & ACM Arup Raha superannuates today

National Defence Bureau,

New Delhi, 31 December 2016

General Bipin Rawat takes over as the 27th Chief of Army Staff (CoAS) today at South Block. Superannuating General Dalbir Singh Suhag handed him over the command of 13 million plus manned, world's third largest Indian Army. Superannuating after 43 years of glorious service to the nation, General DS Suhag thanked the Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the Government for giving him free hand in operational matters, giving impetus for defence procurement and implementing the demands for One Rank One Pension (OROP). He was addressing the media after being presented the Guard of Honour at South Block lawns.

Superannuating Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag pays
homage to martyrs at Amar Jawan Jyoti

Indian Army successfully conducted surgical strikes in Myanmar and Pakistan under his leadership that showed the resolve of the country to deal with the terrorism. General Dalbir Singh said that while infiltration has risen this year, the number of casualties remain low. This year Indian Army killed 141 terrorists a rise of 65 over the previous year when Army neutralised 76 infiltrating terrorists. General Suhag said that whatever be the challenges, Indian Army is fully prepared to meet the challenges to defend the country.

More About New Army Chief General Bipin Rawat:

General Bipin Rawat after taking over the charge of
Chief of Army Staff (CoAS)

General Bipin Rawat was tenanting the appointment of the Vice Chief of Army Staff (VCOAS) of the Indian Army from 01 Sep 2016.

General Bipin Rawat was commissioned in the Fifth Battalion of the Eleven Gorkha Rifles in December 1978, from Indian Military Academy, Dehradun, where he was awarded the ‘Sword of Honour’.  The General Officer has vast experience in high altitude warfare and counter insurgency operations.  He commanded an Infantry battalion, along the Line of Actual Control in the Eastern Sector; a Rashtriya Rifles Sector and an Infantry Division in the Kashmir Valley, a Corps in the Eastern theatre and the Southern Command. He has tenanted instructional appointments at Indian Military Academy, Dehradun and at Army War College, Mhow.

Outgoing Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag (L)
handing over the baton to new Chief of Army Staff
General Bipin Rawat (R) at South Block 

Lt Gen Bipin Rawat has held important staff appointments at Directorate General of Military Operations and Military Secretary’s Branch at Army HQ.  He has also been Major General General Staff (MGGS) at HQ Eastern Command.  The General Officer commanded a Multinational Brigade, in a Chapter VII mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo (MONUC). Whilst serving with the United Nations, he was twice awarded the Force Commander’s Commendation.

An alumni of Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, the Higher Command & National Defence College Courses, the General Officer, during the span of over       38 years service in uniform, has been awarded for gallantry and distinguished service with the UYSM, AVSM, YSM, SM, VSM, COAS Commendation on two occasions and the Army Commander’s   Commendation.  The General Officer also attended the Command and General Staff College (CGSC) course at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, USA.

Both superannuating and new Army Chief with their families

Academically inclined, he has authored numerous articles on ‘National Security’ and ‘Leadership’, which have been published in various journals and publications. He was awarded M. Phil in Defence Studies from Madras University. He has a Diploma in Management and another Diploma in Computer Studies. Lieutenant General Bipin Rawat has also completed his research on military media strategic studies and was

Along with General Dalbir Singh Suhag, Air Force Chief Arup Raha also superannuates today. Air Chief Marshal Birendra Singh Dhanoa took charge of Chief of Air Staff today at Vayu Bhawan from the outgoing Air Chief.

In another ceremony, Air Marshal SB Deo handed over command of WAC to move to Air Headquarters as Vice Chief of Air Staff  

At Fort Williams, Lt Gen Pravin Bakshi today greeted all ranks of Army's Eastern Command on the eve of the New Year. Speaking to Officers on the occasion, he also put to rest all speculation about his resignation by stating that he would continue to lead Eastern Command with full professional sincerity as hither-to-fore.

“I convey my best wishes and full support of Eastern Command to Gen Bipin Rawat on having taken over as the Chief of Army Staff”,  Lt Gen Bakshi said.

Lt Gen Bakshi requested that speculations and trolling in media and social media should stop and everyone should focus on contributing their best to the betterment of the Army and the Nation.

Lt. Gen Bakshi spoke to Gen Bipin Rawat over phone and congratulated him on assuming the charge of the Indian Army.

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