Vice Admiral Krishna Swaminathan, AVSM, VSM, has officially taken command as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Western Naval Command (WNC) of the Indian Navy, during a ceremonial parade held at INS Shikra in Mumbai. He succeeds Vice Admiral Sanjay J Singh, PVSM, AVSM, NM, who led with commendable service.
The ceremony featured a formal guard of honour and was attended by various senior officers and personnel of the Navy. Following the transfer of command, Vice Admiral Swaminathan paid tribute at the Gaurav Stambh monument located at Naval Dockyard, Mumbai, honoring naval personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice for the country.
Bringing over 30 years of operational and leadership experience, Vice Admiral Swaminathan was commissioned into the Indian Navy on July 1, 1987. An alumnus of the National Defence Academy in Khadakvasla, he has advanced his military education at prestigious institutions, including the Joint Services Command and Staff College in the United Kingdom, the College of Naval Warfare in Karanja, and the US Naval War College in Rhode Island.
Throughout his career, he has held command positions on a variety of frontline warships, such as the missile boats INS Vidyut and INS Vinash, the missile corvette INS Kulish, the guided missile destroyer INS Mysore, and the aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya. Before his new role, he served as the Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi.
The Western Naval Command, based in Mumbai, is considered the sword arm of the Indian Navy along the western seaboard. It oversees a formidable fleet that includes aircraft carriers, destroyers, submarines, and maritime patrol aircraft. The WNC plays a crucial role in ensuring maritime security in the Arabian Sea by monitoring strategic sea lanes and addressing emerging threats.
Under Vice Admiral Swaminathan’s leadership, the Indian Navy’s western front is poised to see enhanced operational focus, improve international collaboration, and greater readiness to tackle maritime challenges as they arise.
