Lt. Gen. Vinayak Patankar
Visiting Fellow

Joined ORF
March 2006

Background
Lt. Gen. Vinayak Patankar was he was commissioned as an officer in the Army in June 1965. He is a qualified paratrooper and keen helicopter pilot. He is also a qualified flying instructor. He has had the privilege of participating in the 1965, 1971 and 1999 (Kargil) wars. He has received many honours and awards. He earned commendation of the Chief of Air Staff for handling a grave emergency while piloting a helicopter in 1976. He is also a recipient of PVSM for his outstanding services to the Nation.

Gen. Patankar has been trained at many military institutions in India and abroad, including Joint Services Staff College course at Canberra, Australia, Higher Command course at College of Combat, Mhow and US Army War College course at Carlisle, Pennsylvania, USA. He is a graduate from Indian Military Academy and did Master?s Degree in Defence Studies from Madras University.

He has served in various staff and instructional appointments. Some of the important ones among them were Brigade Major of an Infantry Brigade, Director at Military Operations Directorate, Army Headquarters, instructor at the Defence Services Staff College, Deputy Director General (Strategic Planning) and later as Additional Director General, Perspective Planning at Army Headquarters.

He commanded 17 Parachute Field Regiment; a Mountain Brigade engaged in counter insurgency operations in Manipur. During the Kargil war, he was commanding an Infantry Division. For the role played by him, he was awarded Uttam Yudh Seva Medal. Later he was the Corps Commander of the prestigious 15 Corps engaged in management of the Line of Control and the counter terrorist operations in the Kashmir Valley. He was the Quartermaster General of the Indian Army before he retired.

Presently
After retirement, Lt.Gen. Patankar has been associated with many think tanks in India and abroad. He has contributed to many articles to leading journals and newspapers. He has been invited frequently to speak as well as to participate in seminars, conferences and panel discussions at many a prestigious forum as well as on TV.

E-mail ID: vinayakpatankar@orfonline.org