New Delhi

Chief of Defence Staff, General Bipin Rawat on Thursday stressed that all future wars will be conducted by the three services of the armed forces in an integrated manner, and will need sound logistics for success, as he operationalised the third Joint Logistics Node in Mumbai.

"To enable our armed forces to conduct successful operations, it is essential that they be provided with sound logistic support during all stages of the war," he said, operationalising and dedicating to the services the Joint Logistics Node, via video conferencing from New Delhi.

The joint logistics node, the third after Port Blair and Guwahati, will provide integrated logistics cover to the armed forces for their small arms ammunition, rations, fuel, general stores, civil hired transport, aviation clothing, spares and also engineering support in an effort to synergise their operational efforts.

In his remarks, Gen Rawat said: "Establishment and operationalisation of Joint Logistics Nodes is a very important first step in the direction of logistics integration of our three services. Acceptance of each other's limitations and learning from each other's strengths and best practices is essential to help improve the functioning and efficacy of these nodes."

This initiative would accrue advantages in terms of saving of manpower, economise utilisation of resources, besides leading to financial savings.

Gen Rawat also complimented the 'Tri-Yodhas' who put in their heart and soul to make this node operational, saying: "I call upon everyone to continue to strive for excellence in our endeavour to become a fully integrated, modern and self-sufficient future-ready force."

Successful functioning of these three Joint Logistics Nodes would prove to be important stepping stones for opening of more Joint Logistics Nodes in different parts of the country, he added.

The Joint Logistics Node would enhance joint inter-operability between the services and go a long way in improving the logistics processes of the armed forces in accordance with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's directions to enhance the jointness among the three services.

This important milestone is a harbinger of further strengthening of integrated logistics in the armed forces and will enable them to operate in all areas and across all spectrum of warfares seamlessly.

The CDS also emphasised on the need to work towards greater logistics integration with national logistics, which has been provided renewed impetus in the recent past, saying it would help the armed forces to take benefit from the infrastructural and logistics improvements taking place at the national level.

"Through this, we will bring to bear the actual 'Whole of the Nation' effort on our adversaries," he added. He also urged the services to put in concerted efforts to achieve cost cutting as well as modernisation.

The Joint Operations Division (JOD) under the aegis of Headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff actively pursued and enabled establishment of the Joint Logistics Nodes as the first concrete step towards logistics integration of the three services.

The government sanction for establishment of Joint Logistics Nodes in Mumbai, Guwahati and Port Blair was signed on October 12, 2020, and the latter two were operationalised on January 1, 2021.

The Standing Operating Procedure (SOP) of the Joint Logistics Nodes was also e-released by General Rawat on the occasion.

Lt Gen Manjinder Singh takes over as Western Command chief

Chandigarh

In an important development, Lieutenant General Manjinder Singh on Thursday took over as the Chief of Staff of Western Command. He later went to pay homage to Indian Army martyrs.

General Singh is an alumnus of the Sainik School Kapurthala, the National Defence Academy and the Indian Military Academy. He was commissioned into 19 Madras Regiment on December 20, 1986.

In a career spanning a period of over 34 years, the General has served important Command appointments in varied sensitive operational sectors and high-altitude terrains.

He has commanded his battalion in an intense counter insurgency environment in Jammu and Kashmir, an Infantry Brigade at the line of control and an Infantry Division as part of Strike Corps.

His staff experiences includes appointments both in operational and administrative domain.

During his service, the General has been an instructor at the Indian Military Academy and the Indian Military Training Team at Bhutan.

The General has attended various prestigious courses such as Defence Services Staff College, Higher Command and also had the distinction to attend National Defence College in Thailand.

For his exemplary leadership and devotion to duty towards, the General has been decorated with Yudh Seva Medal in 2015 and Vishist Seva Medal in 2019.

Lt Gen Dimri takes over Army Central Command chief

Lucknow

Lt Gen Yogendra Dimri on Thursday took over as the General Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Army's Central Command on Thursday.

After assuming charge, he paid tributes at the Smritika War Memorial to all soldiers who lost their lives in operations. He later reviewed a Guard of Honour.

An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Dimri was awarded the President's Gold Medal at the Indian Military Academy, Dehradun for having passed out first in the order of merit. He was commissioned into the Corps of Engineers (The Bombay Sappers) on December 17, 1983.

He was awarded the 'Silver Grenade' in the Young Officers Course and the Gold medal in the Engineers Degree Course.

During his long and illustrious career of over 37 years, he has held several key posts including command of a corps and as Chief of Staff of the Western Command. He went on to attend various prestigious courses at the Defence Service Staff College, Wellington, the Defence Services Command & Staff Course at Dhaka, at the Army War College, Mhow & the National Defence College, New Delhi.

He has also served as Military Observer in UNTAC, Cambodia and as Directing Staff at Defence Service Staff College.