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Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan on Saturday assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command at a ceremonial parade in Mumbai, succeeding as the operational head of the Indian Navy’s key maritime command.
Before taking over the Western Naval Command, Vice Admiral Vatsayan served as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi, where he oversaw the Indian Navy’s capability development and force modernisation initiatives.
An alumnus of the National Defence Academy, he was commissioned into the Indian Navy on January 1, 1988. A specialist in gunnery and missile systems, he brings nearly four decades of operational, command and staff experience to the appointment.
During his career, he has commanded several frontline platforms, including Coast Guard Ship C-05, missile vessels INS Vibhuti and INS Nashak, missile corvette INS Kuthar and guided missile frigate INS Sahyadri.
The Flag Officer has also held several key appointments, including Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans), Commander of the Eastern Fleet, Deputy Commandant of the National Defence Academy, Chief of Staff of the Eastern Naval Command, and Deputy Chief of the Integrated Defence Staff (Operations) as well as Policy, Plans and Force Development.
In his assignments at Headquarters Integrated Defence Staff, he played an important role in advancing jointness among the three services, force development and policies aimed at strengthening defence indigenisation.
Vice Admiral Vatsayan is a recipient of the Param Vishisht Seva Medal (PVSM), Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and Nao Sena Medal (NM). His appointment comes at a time when the Western Naval Command continues to play a pivotal role in safeguarding India’s maritime interests in the Arabian Sea and the wider western seaboard.
Team BharatShakti
