New Delhi, December 16: With less then two weeks remaining for Indian Army chief General Bipin Rawat to demit office, the government has named his successor. A statement was issued by the Centre on Monday, confirming the appointment of Lieutenant General Manoj Mukund Naravane - the incumbent Vice Chief of Army Staff, as the next Chief of Army Staff (COAS). General Bipin Rawat to be Appointed as First Chief of Defence Staff After Tenure as Army Chief Concludes: Report.

Lt Gen Naravane is expected to takeover the reins from Gen Rawat on December 31 -- which is his last day at the helm of India's defence forces. Rawat's successor has nearly four decades of experience in the military, and has commanded battalions during insurgency in both Kashmir and Northeast.

Naravane, an alumnus of  the National Defence Academy of Pune and Indian Military Academy of Dehradun, was commissioned into the Indian Army in June, 1980. He was inducted with the rank of Second Lieutenant, and has succeeded in rising to the rank of Lieutenant-General in November, 2015.

Update by ANI

In September this year, Naravane was promoted as the Vice Chief of Indian Army. He was considered among the top probables to succeed Rawat -- who would be retiring from the forces after an illustrative career which spanned for nearly four decades.

Gen Rawat is, however, expected to be appointed as the first-ever Chief of Defence Staff (CDS). Although an official announcement is awaited, reports citing top sources have claimed the Modi government is considering to choose Rawat as the first CDS. The new post, announced by the Prime Minister in his Independence Day address, would work in coordination with all three wings of the forces.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 16, 2019 09:37 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).