Admiral R. Hari Kumar on Tuesday took the helm as the 25th Chief of the Naval Staff (CNS). He takes over the charge from outgoing Chief Admiral Karambir Singh, who retired on superannuation after a career spanning over 41 years in service.
“It is a matter of great honour for me to take charge as the CNS. Indian Navy’s focus is on our national maritime interests and challenges,” Admiral Kumar said after reviewing a Guard of Honour on the South Block lawns.
The new Chief was earlier serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) Western Naval Command and was appointed as the next CNS on November 9.
Admiral Kumar takes over as the CNS at a time when the Navy is in the process of revising its 15-year Maritime Capability Perspective Plan, expected to be ready by the first quarter of next year, to align it with the 10-year Integrated Capability Development Plan being formulated by the Department of Military Affairs.
The 130-ship Indian Navy targets to become a 170-ship and has a series of major modernisation plans under way, including more submarines and armed drones. It has already seen many delays and would need to be accelerated.
During the tenure of outgoing CNS Admiral Singh, the Navy has seen a manifold increase in maritime engagements in the region. In terms of modernisation, construction of the first indigenous aircraft carrier Vikrant, after delays, made progress in the last few years and began sea trials recently. It is scheduled to be commissioned in August 2022 coinciding with 75 years of Independence and the completion of the aviation trials and operationalisation would be overseen by Admiral Kumar.
Admiral Kumar graduated from J-squadron, 61 Course National Defence Academy, in December 1981 and was commissioned into the Executive Branch of the Navy on January 1, 1983. He has served in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments during a career spanning nearly 39 years. His Sea Command includes Coast Guard Ship C-01, INS Nishank, Missile Corvette, INS Kora and Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvir. He also commanded aircraft carrier INS Viraat, while also serving as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet.
He has undergone courses at the Naval War College, U.S., Army War College, Mhow and Royal College of Defence Studies, U.K.
