Admiral Hari Kumar takes charge as new Navy chief

Admiral Kumar's sea command includes INS Nishank, missile corvette INS Kora and guided-missile Destroyer INS Ranvir

Admiral R Hari Kumar took over as the new chief of the Indian Navy on Tuesday.

The Indian Navy will continue to focus on responding to the maritime challenges to national security, said Admiral Hari Kumar. He succeeded Admiral Karambir Singh, who retired after an illustrious career, spanning 41 years in the Indian Navy.

Admiral Hari Kumar, an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, was the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command in Mumbai before taking over as the 25th chief of the Indian Navy. He was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1983. In his career spanning 38 years, he has commanded Coast Guard Ship C-01, IN Ships Nishank, Kora, Ranvir and the Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat.

A gunnery specialist, Admiral Hari Kumar has held several key appointments, including Fleet Operations Officer and Fleet Gunnery Officer of Western Fleet, Executive Officer (EXO) of INS Vipul, Gunnery Officer (GO) of INS Ranjit, commissioning GO of INS Kuthar and commissioning crew of INS Ranvir.

He served as the Commandant of the Naval War College in Goa, Flag Officer Sea Training, Flag Officer Commanding Western Fleet, Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command, Controller Personnel Services and Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters.

He also served as the Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman Chiefs of Staff Committee at the critical junction during the creation of the institution of Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) and Department of Military Affairs.

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