Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan Assumes Charge as Vice Chief of Naval Staff

New Delhi: Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM, assumed charge as the Vice Chief of Naval Staff on May 01. In a solemn ceremony, Vice Admiral Swaminathan paid homage to the brave soldiers who made the supreme sacrifice in service of the nation by laying a floral wreath at the National War Memorial.

Commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987, Vice Admiral Swaminathan brings with him a wealth of experience and expertise in communication and electronic warfare. An alumnus of prestigious institutions such as the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; the Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; the College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island, USA, Vice Admiral Swaminathan has earned accolades throughout his distinguished naval career.

Recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and the Vishisht Seva Medal, Vice Admiral Swaminathan has held numerous key operational, staff, and training appointments. His command includes missile vessels INS Vidyut and INS Vinash, missile corvette INS Kulish, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.

During his tenure as Rear Admiral, Vice Admiral Swaminathan served as the Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters, Southern Naval Command, Kochi, where he played a pivotal role in enhancing training standards across the Indian Navy. He also led the Indian Naval Safety Team and served as the Flag Officer Sea Training, ensuring operational safety and efficiency. Additionally, he commanded the Western Fleet and held significant advisory roles in offshore security and defense for the Government of India.

Promoted to the rank of Vice Admiral, he served as the Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command and Controller of Personnel Services at NHQ before assuming his current role as Vice Chief of Naval Staff. His academic accomplishments include degrees from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; Cochin University of Science and Technology, Kochi; King’s College, London; and Mumbai University.