Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar To Take Charge As Next Indian Navy Chief On 30 November

The Government has appointed Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar, currently Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of Western Naval Command, as the next Chief of the Naval Staff with effect from the afternoon of 30 November 2021, an official release said on Tuesday (9 November).

The present Chief of the Naval Staff, Admiral Karambir Singh will retire from service on 30 November.

Born on 12 April 1962, Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar was commissioned on 1 January 1983 in to the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy, a Defence Ministry release said.

During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments.

Vice Admiral R Hari 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. Before taking over as FOC-in-C Western Naval Command, he was Chief of Integrated Defence Staff to the Chairman, Chiefs of Staff Committee.

Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar 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 AtiVishist Seva Medal (AVSM) and Vishist Seva Medal(VSM).