Admiral Krishna Swaminathan assumed charge as the 27th Chief of the Naval Staff of the Indian Navy on Sunday, 31 May, succeeding Admiral Dinesh Kumar Tripathi, who superannuated after 41 years of service, the Ministry of Defence said.
A Communication and Electronic Warfare specialist, Admiral Swaminathan was commissioned into the Indian Navy on 1 July 1987.
His career spans nearly 4 decades and includes several operational, staff and training appointments.
His sea commands include the guided missile vessels INS Vidyut and INS Vinash, guided missile corvette INS Kulish, guided missile destroyer INS Mysore and aircraft carrier INS Vikramaditya.
On promotion to the rank of Rear Admiral, he served as Chief Staff Officer (Training) at Headquarters, Southern Naval Command, Kochi.
He was later appointed as Flag Officer Sea Training and subsequently commanded the Western Fleet, the “Sword Arm of the Indian Navy.”
He also served as Flag Officer Offshore Defence Advisory Group and Advisor, Offshore Security and Defence to the Government of India.
After his promotion to Vice Admiral, Admiral Swaminathan held key appointments including Chief of Staff, Western Naval Command; Controller Personnel Services; Chief of Personnel; and Vice Chief of the Naval Staff at Naval Headquarters.
Before taking over as Chief of the Naval Staff, he was serving as the Flag Officer Commanding-in-Chief of the Western Naval Command.
Admiral Swaminathan is an alumnus of the National Defence Academy, Khadakwasla; Joint Services Command and Staff College, Shrivenham, United Kingdom; College of Naval Warfare, Karanja; and the United States Naval War College, Newport, Rhode Island.
His academic qualifications include a BSc degree from Jawaharlal Nehru University, 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 and a PhD in International Studies from Mumbai University.
He has been awarded the Param Vishisht Seva Medal, Ati Vishisht Seva Medal and Vishisht Seva Medal for distinguished service.
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