New Delhi: The tenure of Gen MM Naravane as Army Chief will be remembered for resolute reply to the Northern adversary in Eastern Ladakh, ensuring the health of the Army during the pandemic and for embracing niche and disruptive technologies to fight future wars, Defence Ministry said.
Gen Naravane retired on Saturday after four decades of illustrious service in the Army. He gave impetus to military diplomacy, instrumental in furthering good relations with India’s partner nations, and enhanced India’s Comprehensive National Power, the Ministry said.
His tenure saw the completion of the restructuring of Army HQ in New Delhi, resulting in a much more leaner and integrated decision-making body. Gen Naravane was an enthusiastic supporter for theaterization and was familiar with the challenges involved in creating synergies amongst the three Services.
“He also pushed for the operationalization of Integrated Battle Groups. Gen Naravane was a soldier’s soldier, and was concerned about the welfare of troops. He visited the forward areas in Jammu and Kashmir, Eastern Ladakh and the North East a number of times and actively pursued the cases for rapid construction of accommodation and habitats for the newly inducted troops in Eastern Ladakh, post April 2020,” the Ministry said.
He was an alumnus of the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy. Gen Naravane was commissioned in the Sikh Light Infantry Regiment in June 1980. He is also an alumnus of the Defence Services Staff College, Wellington and Higher Command Course, Mhow.
He holds a Master’s Degree in Defence Studies, an M Phil Degree in Defence and Management Studies, and is currently pursuing his Doctorate. After successfully commanding the Army Training Command in Shimla and the Eastern Command in Kolkata, he held the appointment of Vice Chief of Army before assuming the top post in Army on December 31, 2019. In a distinguished military career spanning over four decades, he had the distinction of tenanting key command and staff appointments in peace and field, both in the North-East and Jammu and Kashmir.
He was also part of the Indian Peace Keeping Force in Sri Lanka. He commanded a Rashtriya Rifles Battalion, raised an Infantry Brigade, was Inspector General Assam Rifles (North) and commanded a Strike Corps in the Western Theatre.
His staff assignments included tenures as a Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade, Defence Attache at Yangon, Myanmar, an instructional appointment in the Army War College as Directing Staff in the Higher Command Wing, besides two tenures at the Integrated Headquarters Defence Ministry, the Ministry said.Â