Indian Air Force soldiers wait for their turn to perform drill as they stand next to the IAF C-17 Globemaster during rehearsals
NEW DELHI: Suspense continues over the names of next chiefs of Indian Army and Indian Air Force, as heads of both services are scheduled to be retiring by December end. Traditionally, the names are announced by the government three months in advance to rule out any possible friction and lobbying amongst top ranks.
Army Chief General Dalbir Singh Suhag and Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha are superannuating on December 31. Chief of Kolkata-based Eastern Army Command Lieutenant General Praveen Bakshi is in the line of succession to replace General Suhag, as he will be the senior most Army General at that time. Bakshi, an alumnus of National Defence Academy, has held several important positions including commanding of an Armoured Brigade in the Western Sector on Pakistan border, a Division in the desert and a Corps in the plains of Punjab and J&K.
If everything falls in place, Bakshi will be first armored corps officer to become Chief of Army Staff after many years. But, insiders maintain unlike norms, Lt Gen Bakshi has not been appointed as the Vice chief of Army, which generally allows an incoming chief the time to familiarize himself with ongoing army projects, procurements, and with functional procedures within South Block.
Coincidentally, the last three Army chiefs—Dalbir Singh, Bikram Singh and VK Singh—were also Eastern Army commanders and Bakshi could be following them from Fort William to South Block in New Delhi.
But sources indicate that the Infantry, which has the maximum strength of Army officer, do not seem to be enthusiastic over Bakshi becoming Chief of Army Staff, as it will dislodge their monopoly in the top brass.
“It appears that infantry lobby is applying pressure to prevent giving away Chief’s post to a non-infantry officer,” said an officer. Similarly, IAF chief Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha is also expected to be replaced by vice chief of IAF Air Marshal B S Dhanoa. Dhanoa is a Qualified Flying Instructor and has flown various types of aircraft. During Kargil, he commanded a fighter squadron and flew numerous night strike missions in the mountainous terrain. “Keeping the announcement a suspense gives room for speculations that creates lobbying and friction,” an official said.
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