BY : PTI


Declaring that the Indian Army was on "threshold of transformation into an advanced weaponised force", General Deepak Kapoor took over as the 23rd Chief of the Army Staff on Sunday, holding out promise of undertaking modernisation more rapidly.

"My top priority would be to step up the pace of modernisation," Kapoor said in his first order of the day to officers and all ranks of the Army.

Asserting that cutting age technology would be given to soldiers, both for policing the borders or countering internal unrest, Kapoor said soon after taking over from Gen J J Singh.

"I feel immense pride and humility," Kapoor said after taking over the world's most professional and second biggest Army.

His comments assume significance as the Indian Army is upgrading its weaponry, giving more advanced weapons to all its three wings- Infantry, Armour and Artillery.

In recent years, the Army has seen induction of sophisticated and long range nuclear capable surface to surface missiles, supersonic cruise missiles, longer-range multi barrel rocket system, new frontline tanks and unmanned areal vehicles (UAVs).

"On taking over, I vow," the new Army chief said, "to uphold the unparallelled professional standards of valour and unstinted loyalty of the Army to the national tri-colour."

Though as per traditions, Kapoor took over on Sunday, the new Army chief will go through the formalities of paying homage at martyr's memorial at India gate and inspect a guard of honour at South Block on Monday.