Army, Air Force get new top leadership in major reshuffle
India's armed forces entered a new leadership phase with a series of top-level appointments in the Army and Air Force taking effect as part of
India's armed forces entered a new leadership phase with a series of top-level appointments in the Army and Air Force taking effect as part of a routine succession process. Lieutenant General Dhiraj Seth assumed charge as the new Chief of the Army Staff (COAS) on June 30, taking over the Army's leadership at a time when the force is focused on operational preparedness, modernisation and capability enhancement.
Read Full Story Lieutenant General Sandeep Jain will assume office as the Vice Chief of the Army Staff (VCOAS) on July 1. In his new role, he will oversee key areas including operations, planning and capability development. The reshuffle also brought changes in the Army's operational commands. Lieutenant General Mohit Malhotra was appointed General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the South Western Command, while Lieutenant General Rajesh Pushkar took over as General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Southern Command.
In Ladakh, Lieutenant General Madanraj Pande assumed command of the Fire and Fury Corps at Leh on June 30, succeeding Lieutenant General Hitesh Bhalla. The corps is responsible for guarding India's frontiers in Ladakh and is among the Army's most strategically important operational formations. The Air Force also witnessed a key transition, with Air Marshal Ashutosh Dixit set to take charge as the Vice Chief of the Air Staff (VCAS) on July 1.
A distinguished fighter pilot, he will succeed Air Marshal Nagesh Kapoor. The appointments are part of the armed forces' routine leadership succession and come as the military continues efforts to strengthen combat capability, accelerate modernisation and maintain high operational readiness along India's sensitive borders. Ends
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