Admiral Krishna Swaminathan Assumes Charge as New Navy Chief

NEW DELHI, May 31: Admiral Krishna Swaminathan on Sunday took over as the Chief of the Naval Staff, succeeding Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, amid a rapidly evolving and increasingly complex maritime security environment in the region.

Prior to his appointment, Admiral Swaminathan was serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.

After assuming charge, the new Navy chief said ensuring the highest levels of operational readiness and combat effectiveness of the force would be his top priority.

“The Indian Navy stands vigilant to protect national interests wherever they are and is very actively deployed in a regional security environment that continues to remain challenging, complex, unpredictable and uncertain,” he told reporters.

He said the Navy remains committed to safeguarding the country’s security and economic interests while maintaining a strong operational posture across maritime domains.

Highlighting the force’s ongoing modernisation efforts, Admiral Swaminathan said the Indian Navy is firmly on course for capability enhancement and technological advancement.

“It shall be my endeavour to sustain the growth momentum of the Navy, consolidate all ongoing programmes, scale up where required, and sharpen our operational capabilities through the induction of niche and emerging technologies,” he said.

The new Navy chief takes charge at a time when India is focusing on strengthening its maritime capabilities and expanding its strategic presence in the Indian Ocean Region and beyond. (Agencies)