Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar will take charge as the next chief of the Indian Navy after the incumbent, Admiral Karambir Singh, retires on November 30, the defence ministry announced on Tuesday.
Vice Admiral Kumar is presently serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
Vice Admiral Anil Kumar Chawla, the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Southern Command, is the senior-most officer after Admiral Singh, but he is also retiring on November 30, officials said.
After Vice Admiral Chawla, Vice Admiral Kumar is the senior-most naval commander, they said.
Born on April 12, 1962, Vice Admiral Kumar was commissioned on January 1, 1983, into the executive branch of the Indian Navy.
During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years, Kumar has served in a variety of command, staff and instructional appointments. Vice Admiral Kumar's sea commands includes INS Nishank, INS Kora and guided missile destroyer INS Ranvir.
He also commanded the aircraft carrier Viraat.
Kumar served as fleet operations officer of the Western Fleet.
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Before taking over as FOC-in-C Western Naval Command, he was chief of Integrated Staff Committee of headquarters, Integrated Defence Staff.
Vice Admiral Kumar has undergone courses at the Naval War College, the US; Army War College, Mhow, and Royal College of Defence Studies, the UK.
He has been decorated with the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM), the Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishist Seva Medal (VSM).
