Declaring that the Indian Army was on "threshold of transformation into an advanced weaponised force", General Deepak Kapoor on Sunday took over as the 23rd Chief of the Army Staff, 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, for both 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 to be tasked to lead 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 aerial vehicles (UAVs).

"On taking over, I vow," the new army chief said to uphold the unparalleled professional standards of valour and unstinted loyalty of the army to the national tricolour.

Though as per traditions, Kapoor took over today, 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.

Image: The new army chief General Deepak Kapoor (left) with the outgoing army chief General J J Singh.

Text: PTI | Photograph: Manpreet Romana/AFP/Getty Images