Rear Admiral Vikas Chawla has officially taken charge as the Assistant Chief of Materiel (Dockyard & Refit) at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi, bolstered by his recent promotion to Flag Rank. This transition marks a significant milestone in his illustrious career within the Indian Navy.
Commissioned on July 1, 1994, Rear Admiral Chawla brings a wealth of knowledge as an alumnus of several prestigious institutions, including the National Defence Academy in Khadakwasla, the Naval College of Engineering in Lonavala, and the National Defence College in New Delhi.
Throughout his career, Rear Admiral Chawla has accumulated extensive experience in various operational and technical roles. His tenure at sea includes serving on several frontline warships, such as INS Ranvir, INS Mumbai, and INS Tabar. Additionally, he has had a robust presence at the Naval Dockyards in both Mumbai and Visakhapatnam, where he significantly enhanced refit, maintenance, and operational support functions.
Prior to this new assignment, Rear Admiral Chawla held the position of Training Captain and Head of Faculty (Engineering) at the Indian Naval Academy, where he was instrumental in developing the next generation of naval engineers. His staff roles at Naval Headquarters have involved crucial areas such as Ship Production, Naval Training, and Indigenisation, further showcasing his diverse expertise.
In recognition of his commendable service, he has been honored with the Nao Sena Medal, highlighting his contributions to the Navy.
With his extensive technical acumen and leadership experience, Rear Admiral Chawla is expected to play a critical role in enhancing the operational efficacy of the Navy’s dockyard, refit, and maintenance ecosystem, working towards fortifying the backbone of maritime defense.
