Vice Admiral Sameer Saxena, AVSM, NM, assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Southern Naval Command, in Kochi on Friday, succeeding Vice Admiral V. Srinivas PVSM, CAVSM, NM, who superannuated after a nearly four-decade career in the Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral Saxena is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla, Defence Services Staff College, Wellington, and the Naval War College, Newport, USA.
A specialist in Navigation and Direction, Vice Admiral Saxena was commissioned into the Indian Navy in July 1989. He has held several key operational, staff, and training appointments.
Vice Admiral Saxena served on board Indian Naval Ships Ajay, Sukanya, and Akshay. "As a specialist, he served on the direction team onboard the aircraft carrier, INS Viraat, and subsequently as the Navigating Officer of Indian Naval Ships Kuthar, Godavari, and Delhi. He has been the Executive Officer of INS Mumbai," a statement by the Defence spokesperson said.
His Command tenures include the Mauritian Coast Guard ship Guardian, and Indian Naval ships Kulish and Mysore. He also served as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet.
Vice Admiral Saxena's major appointments ashore include Joint Director of Personnel and Principal Director, Foreign Cooperation at Naval Headquarters; Naval Assistant to the Chief of the Naval Staff; and Naval Adviser at the High Commission of India, London.
He served as the Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans) after he was promoted to the rank of Rear Admiral and was responsible for the Indian Navy's Perspective, Force level, organisation, financial, and infrastructure planning and acquisition.
He also commanded the Western Fleet of the Indian Navy from December 2021 to November 2022. In November 2022, he took over as the Flag Officer Commanding Gujarat Naval Area.
On promotion to the rank of Vice Admiral in August 2023, he took over the responsibilities of Chief of Staff, Eastern Naval Command.
He was awarded the Nau Sena Medal in 2017 and the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2023. He has also been commended by the Chief of the Naval Staff and the Commissioner of Police of Mauritius, both times for acts of gallantry at sea, the defence spokesperson said.
