Lt Gen Dinesh Singh Rana to Lead India's Strategic Forces Command

Lieutenant General Dinesh Singh Rana has been named the new Chief of the Strategic Forces Command (SFC), a key tri-service unit responsible for overseeing and operationalizing India's nuclear arsenal and strategic missile capabilities. He is set to take office on October 1, following Vice Admiral Suraj Berry's retirement today after an illustrious 38-year career.

Lt Gen Rana, an infantry officer with the Garhwal Rifles, also holds the role of Colonel of the Regiment for the same. Before his current appointment, he served as Commander-in-Chief of the Andaman & Nicobar Command (CINCAN), the country's exclusive operational tri-service command. Vice Admiral Ajay Kochhar is designated to succeed him as the new CINCAN.

The Strategic Forces Command is integral to India's nuclear command and control framework. Operating under the Nuclear Command Authority, which is led by the Prime Minister, the SFC is responsible for maintaining, deploying, and safeguarding the nation's nuclear arsenal and delivery systems.

The appointment of Lt Gen Rana highlights the government's emphasis on maintaining robust leadership within one of the most sensitive and strategically essential sectors of India's defense apparatus.