General Manoj Pande, who retired today after over forty years of distinguished service, stepped down from his role as the Chief of the Army Staff (COAS). His tenure is highlighted by a heightened state of combat readiness, advancements in the transformation process, and a strong focus on initiatives promoting self-reliance, as stated by the Ministry of Defence on Sunday.
During his time as COAS, General Manoj Pande prioritized operational readiness along India’s northern and western borders, frequently visiting frontline areas in Jammu & Kashmir, Eastern Ladakh, and the North East to assess preparedness and morale firsthand.
He initiated a comprehensive transformation of the Indian Army, emphasizing technological integration across five key areas. Significant progress was achieved under these technological initiatives aimed at modernizing and enhancing the Army’s capabilities for future challenges.
Under his leadership, there was a significant push towards adopting indigenous weapons and equipment under the ‘Atmanirbharata’ initiative, ensuring long-term sustainability for the Indian Army. He also focused on human resource development, positively impacting serving personnel, their families, and veterans.
As COAS, he promoted bilateral and multilateral military exercises, seminars, and dialogues. He established the Chanakya Defence Dialogue to analyze security challenges in South Asia and the Indo-Pacific comprehensively. Military diplomacy was strengthened through initiatives like the Indo-Pacific Armies Chiefs Conference (IPACC) and expanding annual exercises with partner nations.
General Manoj Pande began his military career at the National Defence Academy and was commissioned in the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers) in December 1982. Throughout his career, he held crucial command and staff roles across diverse operational environments.
Recognized for his exemplary service, General Manoj Pande has been honored with awards including the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal, and Vishisht Seva Medal.