Lt Gen Shamsher Singh Virk has assumed the appointment of Deputy Chief of the Army Staff (Capability Development and Sustenance), known within the force as DCOAS (CD&S). The Army announced the appointment on Thursday.

Lt Gen Shamsher Singh Virk moves from the Western Front to Army Headquarters

He was serving as a Corps Commander along the Western Front before taking over.

Capability development and sustenance now sit with one Deputy Chief

In his new appointment, Lt Gen Shamsher Singh Virk will oversee capability development and sustenance initiatives of the Indian Army.

The CD&S post dates to the April 2021 reorganisation

The post took its present form in April 2021, when the earlier Deputy Chief (Planning and Systems) appointment was renamed. According to reports at the time, the change was meant to bring planning for new equipment and the supply of ammunition and spares under a single officer, with the aim of shortening procurement timelines.

Acceptance of Necessity runs through the Defence Acquisition Council

Capital proposals from the Army are taken up by the Ministry of Defence, where the Defence Acquisition Council grants the Acceptance of Necessity that starts a procurement. Earlier reporting had placed that categorisation work under the Deputy Chief (CD&S) on the Army side. Council clearances are announced through the Press Information Bureau, while orders for the force are issued from Army Headquarters.

Army and Air Force have seen senior changes in recent months

Lt Gen Rajesh Pushkar took over Southern Command in July, and Gen Dhiraj Seth has been Chief of the Army Staff since 30 June.

In August, Air Mshl Tejpal Singh took over as Deputy Chief of the Air Staff.