Vice Admiral R Hari Kumar to be next Chief of Naval Staff

New Delhi: Government has appointed Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar as the next Chief of the Naval Staff. He is presently the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief Western Naval Command. The present Navy Chief Admiral Karambir Singh is retiring from service on 30th of this month.

Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar was commissioned on 1st January, 1983 into the Executive Branch of the Indian Navy. During his long and distinguished service spanning nearly 39 years, he has served in a variety of Command, Staff and Instructional appointments.  

Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar’s



Sea Command includes INS Nishank, Missile Corvette, INS Kora and Guided Missile Destroyer INS Ranvir.  He also commanded Indian Navy’s Aircraft Carrier INS Viraat. He served as Fleet Operations Officer of the Western Fleet.  

Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar has undergone courses at the Naval War College, US, Army War College, Mhow and Royal College of Defence Studies, UK.

Vice Admiral R. Hari Kumar has been decorated with the Param Vishist Seva Medal, Ati Vishist Seva Medal and Vishist Seva Medal.