In a dignified ceremonial parade at Visakhapatnam, Vice Admiral Sanjay Bhalla officially took command as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief (FOC-in-C) of the Eastern Naval Command (ENC). He succeeds Vice Admiral Rajesh Pendharkar, who retired after a distinguished career in the Indian Navy.
Vice Admiral Bhalla, commissioned into the Indian Navy in 1989, boasts a formidable record that spans more than 36 years. A specialist in Communication and Electronic Warfare, he has commanded several significant warships, such as INS Nishank, INS Taragiri, and INS Beas. His leadership has extended to serving as the Flag Officer Commanding Eastern Fleet (FOCEF), where he oversaw critical maritime operations and fleet-level exercises within the Eastern Seaboard.
Throughout his navy career, Vice Admiral Bhalla has held a variety of crucial Command and Staff appointments, which have significantly bolstered the Navy’s operational and strategic planning capabilities. Notable among these roles are positions as Chief of Staff at the Western Naval Command, Assistant Chief of Personnel (Human Resource Development) at Naval Headquarters, and Director of the Maritime Doctrine and Concept Centre (MDCC). He has also represented India’s naval interests on diplomatic assignments abroad.
Vice Admiral Bhalla’s academic credentials include training at prestigious military institutions such as the Royal College of Defence Studies in London, the Naval War College in Goa, and the Defence Services Staff College in Wellington. Prior to assuming his current role, he served as Chief of Personnel at Naval Headquarters in New Delhi, where he was responsible for developing human resource policies and overseeing officer development within the Navy.
His exceptional service has not gone unrecognized; Vice Admiral Bhalla is a proud recipient of the Ati Vishisht Seva Medal (AVSM) and the Nao Sena Medal (NM), awarded for his distinguished contributions and leadership within the Indian Navy.
As the newly appointed FOC-in-C of the Eastern Naval Command, Vice Admiral Bhalla is set to lead one of the Indian Navy’s most formidable operational commands. He will play a vital role in safeguarding India’s strategic interests and ensuring maritime security in the Bay of Bengal and the broader Indo-Pacific region.
