Admiral Karambir Singh assumes charge as the new Chief of Indian Navy. With this appointment he now becomes 24th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS).
Key Highlights
- He took charge from outgoing Admiral Sunil Lanba, who stepped down upon his superannuation on 31 May 2019.
- Term: The tenure of a Service Chief is three years or 62 years of age, whichever is earlier.
- Conflict: His appointment super ceded the senior officer Vice Adm. Bimal Verma who has approached the Armed Forces Tribunal (AFT) questioning the appointment.
- The Army and Air Force too will see a change of guard at the end of 2019 as The Army Gen. Rawat and the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal B.S. Dhanoa set to retire in December 2019 and in October 2019 respectively.
About Admiral Karambir Singh
- He his long and distinguished service in Indian Navy spans over period of 39 years during which he has served in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments.
- He has commanded several Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS) Chandbibi, Missile Corvette Indian Navy Ship (INS) Vijaydurg and two Guided Missile Destroyers, INS Delhi and INS Rana.
- He has served as member of Aircrew Instrument Rating and Categorisation Board (AIRCATS) and also as Flag Officer Commanding Maharashtra and Gujarat Naval Area (FOMAG)
- He is the most senior naval aviator and is the first helicopter pilot of the Indian Navy to become the Chief of the Naval Staff.
- He was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of Eastern Naval Command, which is headquartered in Visakhapatnam just before his appointment as CNS.