The Government has appointed Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, PVSM, AVSM, VSM as the Chief of the Naval Staff
Present Chief of the Naval Staff Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, PVSM, AVSM, NM will be retiring from service on May 31, 2026
Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as the 34th Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command on July 31, 2025
The Flag Officer was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 01, 1987
Specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare
Educational institutions attended: National Defence Academy, Khadakvasla; Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island
Awards received: Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal
Command history: missile vessels INS Vidyut and Vinash; missile corvette INS Kulish; guided missile destroyer INS Mysore; aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya
As Rear Admiral, served as Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters, Southern Naval Command, Kochi
Instrumental in raising the Indian Naval Safety Team that oversees operational safety across all verticals of the Navy
Served as Flag Officer Sea Training, head of Work Up Organisation of the Navy
Appointed as Flag Officer Commanding, Western Fleet
Served as Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group and Advisor, Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India
As Vice Admiral, served as Chief of Staff of the Western Naval Command, Controller of Personnel Services and Chief of Personnel at NHQ
Prior to current assignment, served as Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters
Educational qualifications: BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi; MSc in Telecommunications from Cochin University of Science and Technology; MA in Defence Studies from King's College, London; MPhil in Strategic Studies from Mumbai University; PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University
