The Centre on Tuesday announced that Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, presently heading the western naval command would be the next chief of naval staff beginning November 30. He is set to take over from Admiral KB Singh who is superannuating after a 30-month tenure.
“The Government has appointed Vice Admiral Kumar as the next Chief of the Naval Staff with effect from the afternoon of November 30. The present Chief of the Naval, retires from service on November 30,” Defence Ministry Spokesperson A Bharat Bhushan Babu said in a statement.
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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, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff, and Instructional appointments.
Vice Admiral Kumar’s Sea Command includes INS Nishank, Missile Corvette, INS Kora, and Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvir. He also commanded Indian Navy’s Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat.
He served as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet. He has undergone courses at the Naval War College, US, Army War College, Mhow and Royal College of Defence Studies, UK.
He has been decorated with the Param Vishist Seva Medal (PVSM), the Ati Vishist Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishist Seva Medal (VSM).
