December 2019

Gen Rawat appointed India’s first CDS

As expected General Bipin Rawat, India’s outgoing Chief of Army Staff has been appointed the first Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). He was retiring tomorrow.

Given the charter of the CDS, Gen Rawat will lead the tri-service organisations and restructure and integrate the three services in the areas of logistics, training, procurement which would lead to the establishment of theatre commands.

Russia begins testing of Mi-26T2V

Russian Helicopters holding company (part of Rostec State Corporation) and representatives of the Russian Ministry of Defense started joint state tests of Mi-26T2V heavy-lift military transport helicopter which are to last until the end of 2020.

As part of Russian Helicopters' program on upgrading the heavy Mi-26 helicopter for the Russian Aerospace Forces, in 2018 Rostvertol produced a prototype of the modernized Mi-26T2V helicopter.

India approves post of Chief of Defence Staff

In a landmark decision with tremendous reform in higher defence management in the country, the Union Cabinet chaired by Prime Minister Narendra Modi has approved to create the post of Chief of Defence Staff in the rank of a four-star General with salary and perquisites equivalent to a Service Chief. The Chief of Defence Staff will also head the Department of Military Affairs (DMA), to be created within the Ministry of Defence and function as its Secretary.

The following areas will be dealt by the Department of Military Affairs headed by CDS: