New Delhi: Admiral Krishna Swaminathan on Sunday assumed charge as the new Indian Chief of Naval Staff amid a rapidly evolving regional maritime security scenario.
He succeeds Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who retired from the service. Admiral Swaminathan was serving as Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command before assuming the top job.
Speaking to reporters, the new Navy Commander described the regional security environment as “challenging, complex and unpredictable” and stressed that maintaining peak operational readiness would be his top priority.
“The Indian Navy stands vigil to protect national interests wherever they may be and is deployed very actively in a regional security environment that remains difficult, complex, unpredictable and uncertain,” he told reporters.
“It will be my highest priority to ensure that the Indian Navy maintains the highest level of operational readiness and combat effectiveness so that it can protect the country’s security and economic interests,” he said.
Admiral Swaminathan said that the Indian Navy is well placed on the path of capacity enhancement and modernization.
“My endeavor will be to sustain the growth momentum of the Navy, enhance all ongoing programs, expand their scope where appropriate, and sharpen our operational capabilities through the introduction of specialized and emerging technologies,” he said.
He added: “I will devote every day of my life to making the Navy a better, stronger, more visible and influential service so that it can serve the interests of national security, national development and national economic prosperity.”
Admiral Swaminathan said that the Navy is strongly committed to solidarity, ‘Atmanbharata’ and indigenization. He also praised Admiral Tripathi and described him as one of the “best” military professionals in the world.
Admiral Swaminathan was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1987 and specializes in communications and electronic warfare.
He is an alumnus of the National Defense Academy, Khadakvasla; Joint Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; Naval War College, Karanja; and the US Naval War College in Newport.
A recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal, the Admiral has held several key operational and training appointments in his naval career, including commanding missile ships INS Vidyut and Vinash, missile corvette INS Kulish, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
Upon promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as Chief Staff Officer at the Southern Naval Command Headquarters in Kochi. Vice Admiral Swaminathan has also been instrumental in upgrading the Indian Maritime Safety Team which oversees operational safety in all sectors of the Navy.
He then served as Flag Officer in Naval Training and was subsequently appointed Flag Officer Commanding, Western Fleet. He was subsequently appointed as Flag Officer of the Maritime Defense Advisory Group and Advisor on Maritime Security and Defense to the Government of India.
After his promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral, the flag officer served as Chief of Staff of Western Naval Command, Controller of Personnel Services, and Chief of Staff at Naval Headquarters.
Prior to his appointment to head the Western Naval Command, he served as Deputy Chief of the Naval Staff.
Admiral Swaminathan’s educational qualifications include a Bachelor’s degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Masters in Communications from Cochin University of Science and Technology; He holds a Master’s degree in Defense Studies from King’s College London.
He also holds a Master’s degree in Strategic Studies and a PhD in International Studies, both from the University of Mumbai.
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