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In a significant leadership transition within the Indian Navy, Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan on August 1, 2025 assumed charge as the 47th Vice Chief of the Naval Staff (VCNS), while his predecessor Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan took over as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command on July 31, succeeding Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, who retired after an illustrious four-decade career.
Vice Admiral Sanjay Vatsayan, a specialist in Gunnery and Missile Systems, brings to the role of Vice Chief over three decades of operational, command, and strategic experience. Commissioned into the Navy on January 1, 1988 and an alumnus of the 71st NDA course, he has commanded several key warships, including INS Vibhuti, INS Nashak, INS Kuthar, and INS Sahyadri, and led the Eastern Fleet during a crucial period marked by heightened maritime activity following the Galwan incident.
An astute planner, he has held key staff appointments including Director Naval Plans and Assistant Chief of Naval Staff (Policy and Plans). His recent tenure as Deputy Chief of Integrated Defence Staff (Operations and later Policy, Plans & Force Development) saw him play a pivotal role in jointness, integration, and indigenisation across the Services. He was awarded the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal in 2021 for exceptional leadership and service.
Swaminathan Assumes Command of Western Fleet
VAdm Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM assumed charge as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief, Western Naval Command from VAdm Sanjay J Singh PVSM, AVSM, NM at a Ceremonial Parade held at #INSShikra on #31Jul 2025. Prior to this appointment, he served as Vice Chief of the Naval… pic.twitter.com/yhueD0L3bm
— SpokespersonNavy (@indiannavy) July 31, 2025
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, who now commands the Navy’s powerful Western seaboard, is a specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare and a 1987-batch officer. A graduate of the NDA and an alumnus of prestigious institutions including the Joint Services Command and Staff College, UK, and the US Naval War College, he brings a blend of operational depth and academic rigour to his new role.
He has commanded several frontline ships such as the missile vessels Vidyut and Vinash, corvette Kulish, destroyer Mysore, and aircraft carrier Vikramaditya. His shore assignments include Chief of Staff at Western Naval Command, Controller of Personnel Services, and Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters. As Flag Officer Sea Training and Commander of the Western Fleet, he played a key role in sharpening the Navy’s warfighting edge.
An advocate for operational safety, he was instrumental in establishing the Indian Naval Safety Team. His academic credentials include a BSc from JNU, MSc in Telecommunications, MA in Defence Studies, MPhil in Strategic Studies, and a PhD in International Studies.
Both appointments mark a pivotal phase in the Navy’s leadership as it continues to modernise, strengthen jointness, and expand its strategic footprint across the Indo-Pacific.
Team BharatShakti
